Day 149q: To arrive again at the Beginning … (September 25, 2019)
Even though I had become fully aware on this Grand Journey that its destination meant nothing next to its perpetual Here&Now, I still felt an enormous thrill when I finally “officially” made it to Chattanooga. Over 3000 miles I had walked since leaving Stuttgart over one year ago – 3000 miles spread across 5 different countries on 2 continents – all without ever using a single farthing of money, and all without ever once asking for sustenance along the way. I had made more than a few mistakes on this Trek, a truth that can be stated without doubt or debate, and yet it remained a tremendous undertaking nonetheless; an undertaking that once again “proved” that Kindness still reigns supreme in the human heart – even in these days of gathering darkness and growing despair …
“So what about the main thing in life, the collective answer to all its riddles? Well, if you want, I’ll spell it out for you right now: Avoid ever pursuing the illusory – money or property or comfort or position: for all that is gained at the expense of your sanity – and indeed ultimately your integrity. It is all pursued decade after decade, and yet confiscated fully in one fell night. No, instead choose to live with a steady superiority over your ego — neither being afraid of misfortune nor yearning after ease or pleasure. For all the smaller joys of self are, after all, all the same: fleeting and hollow and meaningless and weak. It is enough if you can smile upon the frown of a stranger, or lessen the burden of a downtrodden brother. It is enough if you can forgive one who has done you grave ill or uplift another in need of anything you might have to give. Lust and envy and fear devour us most of all. So rub your eyes and purify your heart of the same — and prize above all else not those who love you and wish you well, but rather those who you can love and bring better fortune.” ~ inspired by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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