Day 128a: Wonders anew in Walmart … (September 04, 2019)
I woke very early again this morning and headed peacefully back out onto The Way (with Highway 231 being still almost completely devoid of traffic at the time), ambling along in the wee morning stillness, walking peacefully “alone with God” under a scintillating blanket of stars overhead. I entered and passed through the town of Shelby and then made it thereafter to the outskirts of Ruckersville, where I pulled into a local Walmart to rest and use the facilities. It was still super early at the time and I was essentially the only customer in the store, so it came as no surprise that employees Stephen and Yulanda saw me sitting calmly up front and asked if I was okay. I smiled and let them know what I was up to in a nutshell, and in a heartbeat Stephen had brought me a cold bottle of spring water and Yulanda had offered to pay for whatever food I wanted from the store (!!!). I used her incredible kindness to obtain one loaf of bread and a small container of hummus and brought them up to Yulanda at her checkout counter. Employee Andy had in the meantime heard was what going on and professed a heartfelt desire to buy me something as well. I didn’t really need anything at the time, and yet he was so determined to give me something that I asked for a new tube of sunscreen, which he most joyfully thereafter provided. And then it was time to flow onward once more, and after a quick round of farewell hugs and heartfelt well-wishes, I hit The Road again …
“It is crucial to remember that Kindness is our greatest strength. A pleasant nature is often mistaken for virtue, and good health sometimes passes for genius, and yet true morality and real well-being can only be known by those who have the integrity and wherewithal to exude the courage of selfless kindness. In truth, in the examination of any great and important question, we should all be serene & slow-pulsed & ever calm of thought and pure of intention. If valued improperly, intelligence is the foundation of arrogance. If used imperfectly, indignation becomes insolence and epithets arguments of malice. In crucial contrast, however, if used properly – meaning lovingly, intelligence proves to be the bulwark of ethics, indignation the foundation of courageous integrity, and epithets an exposure of corruption &/or a clarion call for justice… In truth, every single small, selfless action nudges the world onto an ever brighter path, and the steady accumulation of these small deeds of goodness & caring does indeed change the world for the better.” ~ inspired by Robert G. Ingersoll & Robin Hobb
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