Create Our World

I thought this Hitchhiking thing was a little too easy.

“Be Where You Are, otherwise You Will Miss Your Life.” – Buddha

Sahar and Hope.

I ate a big breakfast the other day, with my new friends, Hope and Sahar, in East Lansing.  Then, leisurely got on the road about 10:30am.  My old high school friend, Michelle, had scheduled some facials for us later that day in Grand Rapids, MI.  They were Free, too!  I had visited her earlier (Eat with Your Hands!) and I was thinking I would have an easy day of hitchin’, only a little over 60 miles.

Then, the Universe spoke.  

No Rides & Walking 10 miles.

I needed to get around Lansing, yet the only rides that stopped were headed into the middle of the city.  After I let the third ride go, the next person going into the heart of the city that stopped I decided to take the ride and try to get another ride there.  

Sherry dropped me off on Martin Luther King Boulevard near the expressway.  I was not feeling good about the hitchin’ spot (no shoulder and some scurvy looking characters nearby) so I walked a mile or so to the next exit.  This exit had a wonderful vibe.  I was sure I could snag a ride in no time.

The minutes ticked by and the cars zipped past.

Veronica was a welcome breath of fresh air, when I stopped for a break and an apple at Tim Horton’s.

 ”There are just so many beautiful places in the world.  You just want to see them all.” 

She has done a lot of traveling with her husband and can not understand why anyone would want to go to Florida every year.  

I hit the road again, refreshed; Again, no luck.  I ditched the spot and decided to walk a few miles to the next exit.

Nothing there.

I gave up after an hour and planned to walk to the major exit.  It was another few miles.

By the time, I reached the exit, it was about 5pm and I was beat.  I had walked over 10 miles and been standing in the sun since 11am.  I took a short break and then hit the exit.  I was determined to get to the facial at 8:30 pm.

No dukes…

There are no guarantees with hitchhiking.

I relate it to Life;

You can look presentable and happy.  You can be at a spot where many, slow cars are passing you and there is plenty of room to pull over.  BUT, you can’t control whether they will pull over.  

***

I slept in a shed in Lowe’s parking lot near Grand Ledge, MI.  I am not proud of it.  But the skeeters forced me to abandon my tarp within minutes.  An employee tipped me off, that no one checks there.  I picked up some trash in the shed to pay my dues.  

***

Out early in the morning, I hit the same spot.  But, I was tired and gave up after an hour.  I could feel disgruntled-ness and even peeved-ness rise up!  I had forgotten one of my major guiding principles.  I was lost thinking about sitting on the beach at Lake Michigan or getting pampered in Grand Rapids.  I forgot that, There is no where better than where I am.  Everywhere has a jewel!

It wasn’t worth it too feel bad.  I went to Burger King.  Hah!  I worked on my website and caught up on sending emails, posting photos, and I put some finishing touches on my documentary.  It is 4pm now.  I may hit the road.  I may look for the jewel of West Lansing.

Create Our World.

Ben.

“Be Happy for this Moment.  This Moment is your Life.” – Omar Khayyam

I just arrived in Grand Haven!

Two of my good friends are getting married on Saturday and I will be lounging on the beach (and buying a suit) till then.

This not my daily post, just an extra photo I liked!

Here is a preview:

Coast Guard Festival, Grand Haven, MI

Create Our World.

Ben.

“You can do Anything, but not Everything.” – David Allen

Change is Tough!!!  Go Easy on Yourself, take Small Steps towards Big Change!  But do it Now!

***

Basically, this post is about growing and change but doing it in small steps.

I am kicking around my old stomping ground at Michigan State University tonight.  Old memories!  I went by my old house I lived at and was hoping to walk around inside, but no one was home.  But I also did some reading at the local book store and picked up a great magazine, How.  A design magazine put it had a great article, Are you Stretching or Stagnating?  Check the article for details (only in print), I liked it.  It inspired me, by a quote in the margins,

“Do one thing today that you thought you would never do.”

Wow!  I like that!  Also, small growth is one of the steps that the article talks about and gave some suggestions, like;

1.  Read a new magazine

2.  Talk to someone new and ask them 5 questions.

3.  Rearrange your workspace.

4.  Swear off a bad habit for a day.

Well, I thought of a bunch more and I challenge you!

Make a small change and let me know!  Let’s compile a list of people growing & doing GOOD!

Here are some suggestions I thought of:

*Email a company that makes a product you enjoy and tell them how much you like it.

*Send your compliments to the chef after a good meal at a restaurant.

*Send a Thank You note to someone for something small.

*Compliment someone who is just walking by you in the street.

*Make a handmade gift for someone and give it to them.

*Sing the song in your head, OUT LOUD!, as you walk down the street.

*Hold the door open for lots of people.

*Buy someone a cup of coffee.

***Fill in YOURS!!!!

Share by leaving a comment, on the Facebook Wall, or by emailing me at 2createourworld@gmail.com

Create Our World,

Ben.

“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” – Old Chinese Proverb