Fair?

[DDT (12)]

Sometimes it just ain’t fair! As I travel around, I observe folks living their ‘normal lives’ in their usual everyday settings, and I ponder… There are folks who have much more than I do, and they do seem to ‘have it all’. Others, many others, appear to have much less… Long ago I learned that happiness is not about ‘things’, though, so that’s not really what I’m getting at here…

What actually strikes me as profound is the apparent truth of a statement I read in a poem many years ago… “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation…” Of course in our PC world today that must be ‘amended’ to be more inclusive, but the meaning remains… Most people I come into contact with are either miserable on the surface, or they are ‘faking it’… trying to ‘think themselves happy’ but not having a lot of success… Is there really that much misery in the world?

There are tons of it for sure, especially outside the boundaries of our cloistered, safe cocoon of North America and western Europe. What is happiness anyway…? I suppose that actually defies a succinct definition, and it surely varies from one individual to another. However, I would venture to speculate that it includes a feeling of harmony, a sense that things are well, and that there is contentment with one’s circumstance… acceptance of one’s life generally.

That would tend to partially explain why I find folks with ‘everything material’ who are also miserable. Yet, I also find folks with nothing who seem quite happy with life and their lot in it. That seems counter-intuitive, but that is a frequently recurring observation… Well, whatever it is or isn’t, I surely do have a strong sense of genuine ‘happiness’!!!

Man, so much of my life has been the result of unplanned, even unforeseen events, unscripted scenarios occurring in just the right sequence to produce most fortunate circumstances and outcomes! Be there reasons for all of that or simply it’s just that I’m the beneficiary of dumb luck, I sure am proud to be me here and doing what I do!!!

I had a brief scare this past year, and it became obvious for a time that could possibly be the beginning of the end for this gypsy at heart… I didn’t get the sad news that I might have, though, and that so many others have received; instead, I got orders from my surgeon to go enjoy the rest of my life! So, here I am… following doctor’s orders…

Big Wolf and I, astride our gilded ladies, departed Pampa, TX, and headed for the Palo Duro Canyon… Funny, for a couple of riders on their merry way to IZ via the Black Hills, we’d surely taken an unforeseen detour! Oh well, when you ride long distances for extended periods… and you earnestly want to avoid nasty weather… you more often than not find yourself in unexpected places on unanticipated routes!

The panhandle of Texas and the eastern third of New Mexico are pretty doggone flat… the prairie, ya know… In another century, that area was home to the Comanche Indians… a tribe, I once read, who were the only ones feared by the Apaches. Anyway, that ‘dip’ in the otherwise solid and flat surface of land for hundreds of miles around, and called the Palo Duro Canyon, is not visible at all from even a mile or two away!

There is a stream running through it, trees, and forage for animals… It is down below the perpetual winds howling above, and it is a rather attractive locale for a village… Apparently the Comanche thought so too, because that’s where they lived much of the time… especially when the US Cavalry was eagerly seeking to round them up. Being nearly invisible to prying eyes even close-by, it afforded them a safe, secure hideout for many years… until it was finally discovered and the tenure of their nomadic life brought to an abrupt conclusion…

Overlook at the entrance to the Canyon…


Views from the Canyon floor…
bp location finder
 citibank close to me



That pause along the way afforded us a nice excursion and a convenient way to compensate ourselves for the let-down of not being able to follow our original plan… Funny, we’d never even considered a swing this far southward due to our mutual preference for avoiding hot weather… This unexpected re-routing has resulted in a much better trip than either of us had envisioned!!! Hey, we’d rather be lucky than good… right?

DDT

[f6john]

I think it’s all about learning to be be content while making a life for yourself and your family. I still daydream about a lot of things and activities that I have on my bucket list but they are not what drives me. I have become content without just sitting down and saying I’m done. A lot of unhappiness exists just from the struggle of trying to have more, especially by those who didn’t prepare themselves well for the world we live in today.

[Beardo]

My daughter just got back from a school trip to Costa Rica where they visited a school in a very poor area and gave them a bunch of sporting goods, school supplies, etc. She said they have nothing. They get 1 square of toilet paper per day. Yet she said she’s never met happier kids. The toilet paper thing alone would make me pretty miserable.  

Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

We would all do well to have your outlook on life Bruce. At least, I know I would.  Thanks for the story. Life has been pretty good to me also. We are lucky men.

They get 1 square of toilet paper per day. Yet she said she’s never met happier kids. The toilet paper thing alone would make me pretty miserable.

Miserable ? It would make me downright postal ! There is no doubt we are spoiled. One of the greatest gifts I recieved from my time in the Navy was seeing how people in the Phillipines and Kenya lived.

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
That is a really nice and thoughtful post!  Lord knows I have been Truly blessed, though not with money and things.  I have had a rather easy life compared to most of the humans on this planet.

I too have noted that people with a lot of wealth and “things” seem to be the most unhappy while those with little are more content.  I believe the sign that I saw in a storefront in Cloudcroft is very correct. 


Have I mentioned that I am so very happy to be me and to be wandering around this great country on this convoluted ride to Taos?  I have heard it said that “It is good to be the king”.  I say, it is good to be me!  So far this ride has been nowhere we expected it to be but it has been way better than we could have foreseen and planned for. 

Bigwolf

[Hook#3287]

So, here I am… following doctor’s orders…

And doing a great job of it also, your Doc must be proud

Bruce, your post were always awesome.  Now that you include pics, their more awesome.

Happiness ain't all it's cracked up to be and "Having it all" just means maintenance.

[Valkorado]

Seems fair enough to me!   Complaining and coveting only blinds our eyes from our countless blessings!  Seems like you're seeing things very clearly from your vagabond perspective.   Carry on...

[Thunderbolt]

Very acute observation Mr. Bug Killer.  Doing a good job out there it would appear of guiding Mr. Bigwolf around and showing him some places that he would not have visited on his own.  Just be glad you are not back here is Florida right now.  I know you keep up with happenings via the Weather Channel but if you were home you would be spending a lot of time in that recliner as it is too hot to get out after about 9 am.

[..]

  So far this ride has been nowhere we expected it to be but it has been way better than we could have foreseen and planned for. 

Bigwolf

Sometimes having a plan can really mess up a plan.

[DDT (12)]

I think it’s all about learning to be be content while making a life for yourself and your family. I still daydream about a lot of things and activities that I have on my bucket list but they are not what drives me. I have become content without just sitting down and saying I’m done. A lot of unhappiness exists just from the struggle of trying to have more, especially by those who didn’t prepare themselves well for the world we live in today.

John,

I think you've got it! Much wisdom there, and I agree with you. We so often make priorities of insignificant things only to later wonder why we haven't found an answer to what really matters in life... and, why we haven't had a more enjoyable life! That old song about looking for love in all the wrong places could be applied to so many other aspects of our journey...

DDT

My daughter just got back from a school trip to Costa Rica where they visited a school in a very poor area and gave them a bunch of sporting goods, school supplies, etc. She said they have nothing. They get 1 square of toilet paper per day. Yet she said she’s never met happier kids. The toilet paper thing alone would make me pretty miserable. 

Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing. 

Jason,

I'm constantly reminded of that old saying: "I complained because I had no shoes... Then I met a man with no feet!" Those of us fortunate to be born in so-called advanced nations have little concept of how much - most - of the world lives!

In our country we recently had a manufactured political 'tempest in a teapot' over bathroom selection and public toilet labeling... Imagine that! Of course it was merely a distraction to focus attention away from really important issues at the time, but... Imagine trying to explain the furor and angst over that to those kids in Costa Rica...

Thanks for your always positive and insightful replies...

DDT

We would all do well to have your outlook on life Bruce. At least, I know I would.  Thanks for the story. Life has been pretty good to me also. We are lucky men.

They get 1 square of toilet paper per day. Yet she said she’s never met happier kids. The toilet paper thing alone would make me pretty miserable.

Miserable ? It would make me downright postal ! There is no doubt we are spoiled. One of the greatest gifts I recieved from my time in the Navy was seeing how people in the Phillipines and Kenya lived.

Rob,

Thanks, my friend! I always appreciate your replies, too... Yes, our 'uncle' favored me with a trip overseas too... And, like you, it gave me a much deeper appreciation of the good fortune we all share in this great land of ours!

We can dispute the details and finer points of matters in our nation, but there is no doubt none of us want to trade places with much of the rest of the world!!! It ain't perfect here, but IMHO, it'll do nicely!!!

DDT

Bruce,
That is a really nice and thoughtful post!  Lord knows I have been Truly blessed, though not with money and things.  I have had a rather easy life compared to most of the humans on this planet.

I too have noted that people with a lot of wealth and “things” seem to be the most unhappy while those with little are more content.  I believe the sign that I saw in a storefront in Cloudcroft is very correct. 


Have I mentioned that I am so very happy to be me and to be wandering around this great country on this convoluted ride to Taos?  I have heard it said that “It is good to be the king”.  I say, it is good to be me!  So far this ride has been nowhere we expected it to be but it has been way better than we could have foreseen and planned for. 

Bigwolf

Jerry,

It seems weird writing to you with you just across the room from me! Still, I share your desire for others to know of some of our feelings and thoughts about our experience... so... Yep, nothing at all like we thought it would be, but then that is so typical of distance riding!

Weather enters into the picture even before KSU, and it influences virtually every decision and choice to follow! It's as though a Devine guide has a hand in all of this... Things have certainly turned out to be far better than either of us could have 'planned'!!! However that has come about, though, I'm quite happy to have it so!!!

I agree with your observations in the first part of your reply, and I admit much of that applies to this wannabe rider (I don't and never have owned a Harley). We humans are peculiar beings, aren't we? We're born with a 'blank slate', and we spend our lives searching for answers, understanding, and wisdom... Most of us never get to a place where we're satisfied, however... Like we've all said at one time or another, though, it isn't about the destination...

DDT

So, here I am… following doctor’s orders…

And doing a great job of it also, your Doc must be proud

Bruce, your post were always awesome.  Now that you include pics, their more awesome.

Happiness ain't all it's cracked up to be and "Having it all" just means maintenance.

Bill,

Thanks, amigo, for the nice words! As I recall, it was you who told me about 'Ventusky', right? Whether or not it was you, someone did, and I use it daily now! And, it has really paid off... We've managed to quite literally dodge rain, hail, tornados... everything but excitement! Nice suggestion, and I truly appreciate it.

I also agree with you about having it all not being a perfect scenario... Maintenance is indeed a bitch!!!

DDT

Seems fair enough to me!   Complaining and coveting only blinds our eyes from our countless blessings!  Seems like you're seeing things very clearly from your vagabond perspective.   Carry on...

Seth,

I completely agree with you, regarding missing the good stuff while pursuing unimportant things, complaining about what we don't have and never realizing all we do have!!! I humbly also agree that viewing the world and life generally from the saddle of a scooter has a very sobering, soothing, and perspective enhancing quality, and I've benefited so much from my experience... Glad I got this part right!!!

DDT

Very acute observation Mr. Bug Killer.  Doing a good job out there it would appear of guiding Mr. Bigwolf around and showing him some places that he would not have visited on his own.  Just be glad you are not back here is Florida right now.  I know you keep up with happenings via the Weather Channel but if you were home you would be spending a lot of time in that recliner as it is too hot to get out after about 9 am.

Terry,

Thanks, my old friend! Yeah, Jerry has not missed a day shamelessly displaying unmistakable signs of shock and awe, amazement and occasional disbelief! He's seeing things he had no concept even existed, and he reminds me so much of myself out here doing the same things... Funny, I was just like him on my first visit out here... and I still am just like that on each subsequent visit!!! Yes, I am glad to be here in cool temps rather than in that danged ol' recliner waiting for Fall...

DDT

  So far this ride has been nowhere we expected it to be but it has been way better than we could have foreseen and planned for. 

Bigwolf

Sometimes having a plan can really mess up a plan.

Paul,

You are a master of understatement... and brevity! In so few words you can say so much! Sort of like a picture, only in reverse... Would that make you a negative...? Naw, gifted more likely!

DDT

[Robert]

Wow this post was something I have thought alot about since and the conversation on this could go on forever.

But happiness is a decision.

The old glass half empty or half full really is a life lesson.

If you see the glass as half empty then you look at what you do not have and may never have. Not only because of circumstances but because you dwell on the negative and negative thoughts. These will never bring you to peace and joy or give you the strength to go on to do what you have to do to get what you want or enjoy what you have. You go and form ideas and plans based on what you focus on.  Not only this but you see life as a unfair task master, since you cannot get the things you think you deserve and the things you have are never good enough.

If you say the glass is half full then this leaves the way to ANY possibility. It says I may not have or be where I want, but I will someday. Hope, that most awesome of words that leaves the way to possibilities strength of plans and never cuts off moving in the right direction.

The picture of Marlyn Monroe over the grate on the streets of NY makes everyone smile because of hope. We can wonder and hope at the possibilities of the picture. But if you look at the picture and your glass is half empty you would be, like just my luck didn't go far enough or I wasn't there or just not enjoy the moment, and miss the joy and possibilities of the picture.

So much of motorcycle riding is this, spur of the moment type of thing that will never truly be captured and explained to anyone. You have to ride to understand the joy of the moment the thrill of riding and the only reason pictures really mean something to riders is they know and can share in the experience and think, A road that I can go down and think of the possibilities and the freedom and the air, the curves, the sounds. This is a glass half full scenario.

 The bible for me is a great source also of happiness since its human nature to seek revenge, or jealousy or just the myriad of human emotions and ideas that  can lead to blame that something or someone has done me wrong and make someones life sound like a country song. God is NEVER caught off guard, does not know the wrong done or will leave His loves ones forsaken. TRUST in Him is fundamental for true happiness since its in Him that we can say what ever happens God allows, or if He did not what do I have to do to change it and will you help me. He is the greatest source of overview on our lives, allows us to know what TRUE love really is and changes our perspective on life, events, wants, needs, desires, and how we walk circumspect to others.  He give us the ability to live life on our own terms without fear and trusting in Him to allow us to keep promises made and help where we can. He allows us the an ability to achieve that is so much greater than ourselves that we are forced to see things in a different perspective.

True happiness is not in what you have but in how true, honest, and integral you are to yourself and those around you and your ability to satisfy and understand your own personal wants and desires and to have confidence to full fill them.

I love riding in the morning with the cool fresh air going by the world just waking to the pace of a new day and enjoying the dew dissapearing off the fields as I drive by unhindered by the normal congestion of the many thoughts and places all those on the roads go. Its a time I reflect and think of a  time when things were a little less crowded a bit more peaceful and then think, Thank God for this moment to share what you have put in this world and that I am here to enjoy this precious moment. That even if life stops today since we are not promised tomorrow I know that I will be in even more joy beholding you and enjoying the wondrous plans and love you have for those who are your children.

I remember one of the richest men in history saying about possessions, its all vanity the real purpose of life is enjoy the days you are given.

[3fan4life]

Almost everyday I see people from all walks of life that are clearly miserable.

Happiness does start with learning to be content with what we have.

Do I have everything that I want?

No, I don't.

Do I have everything that I need?

Absolutely!

I thank the Lord dailly for the blessings that He has given me.

Not just material things, but the more important things like family and friends.

This past weekend was a good example.

I got to spend it in the company of friends doing something that I love to do and I came home to a 4yr old granddaughter that was genuinely happy to see her Pawpaw.

It just doesn't get much better than that!

[DarkSideR]

Good write up Bruce.

I too have pondered this, and I found that "Happiness" wasn't what I should have been looking for. I looked up the definition of "Happiness" - Noun: a state of well being and contentment. Would you look at that! 'A state..." Happiness is temporary! Buying a new car makes me happy  , until it breaks down  . Those looking for Happiness usually end up having more things. We obtain something to make us happy. The problem with this is those things then need to be used, maintained, shuffled around, and stored. Managing all those things that once made me happy now is a quilt ridden burden. "I should really use that more. I should really fix that. Why did I spend so much money on that?"

I needed to change direction in my life. That's when I looked up the definition of "Joy" - Noun: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Joy isn't temporary, and 'possessing' doesn't mean a physical thing. I possess the resources, knowledge, skill, and time to ride my bike to destinations afar. I am not tied down to this possession. And that gives me Joy, and that joy can be evoked just about whenever I want.

Entire evenings could be consumed delving further into the obtaining of Joy. Especially if Religion were to be introduced into the topic. But that's what week long InZane Rally's are for  .

Ride safe Bruce. Looking forward to seeing the joyful You in just a couple of weeks.

[MarkT]

They get 1 square of toilet paper per day. Yet she said she’s never met happier kids. The toilet paper thing alone would make me pretty miserable.  

My X-MIL (lower income family) used to say, "Three squares is enough for anybody."  Hell, why buy it at all?  In SEA they use a plastic bowl to dip water out of the big mason barrel and just wash.  You're supposed to do that with your left hand, and wave with your right as waving with your ass-wiper is an insult.

The XMIL was mostly happy with no money and few prospects - but not much to lose, and a big family.  They had no medical insurance and so taught their kids to tough it out if they had a medical issue.  Now half of them have died young from medical neglect and smoking including my X, and 3 of her siblings. The XMIL and XFIL both died decades ago, young and due to medical neglect.  Not a good plan.  I emphasize to my kids - DO NOT follow their example - get medical attention for any problem beyond a bandage-able cut, and have at least annual checkups.  AND QUIT SMOKING.

I suppose this is kind of peripheral:  On the glass half empty vs full.  Actually the half-empty is not necessarily negative.  The space for storage is also a resource.  I have learned, I need to keep an empty gas can on hand.  I have several and found if I keep them full, then I have to put gas preservative in them.  And I discover I need to empty the gas from my Valk tank to pull it and work underneath.  DANG IT I don't have an empty gas can, and can't dump it in the truck as it's also full! And I also need to empty the belly tank as I'm gonna replace the fuel pump.  I need a place for EIGHT gallons of gas.  Now I have to go to Big R and buy another gas can!  I have what, FIVE of them already?  (Yeah lotsa gas cans is kind of a prepper thing - largely for the generator when the power goes out which used to happen frequently during the spring and winter storm seasons.  I also keep the three pantries and the 3 freezers VERY full of food.  We could be marooned here for months and not go hungry.  Yeah that happened in my early adult years and I swore ala "Gone With The Wind"  Scarlett: "As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.")  And once again, I find that refriged and freezer space ia a resource when I buy stuff and can't keep it cold.  eg. Safeway has a great sale on the best ice cream but I can't go there because you have to buy 6 to get the sale price.

On that subject - another sidebar - Look at this groovy gas can I found at Big R.  Doesn't have that STUPID safety nozzle that costs a lot to make and buy and doesn't work.  Very heavy-duty filler tube and the can is VENTED!  5 gallon can.

[old2soon]

            IF I put my mind to the problem there most likely IS lotsa stuff I could be unhappy about. With the help of GOD and my Brother and S I L I realized how much Better I felt when I let the stuff that angered and pissed me off go. Sides-I got to RIDE Sunday and Yesterday-Memorial Day-not far in the scheme of things but remembering and sharing with friends and other Veterans. And IS there anything better than a mind flush astride 2 or 3 wheels to git ya right again? Keep on ridin and reportin Bruce!  Bunches of us here ridin bitch with your narratives whether they admit it or not.  RIDE SAFE.

[..]

Sometimes having a plan can really mess up a plan.

Paul,

You are a master of understatement... and brevity! In so few words you can say so much! Sort of like a picture, only in reverse... Would that make you a negative...? Naw, gifted more likely!

DDT

A gift that becomes more evident when my friends "Miller" and "Jose" have been keeping me company. 

[Rams]

Fair is all about perspective and expectations.  I don't expect much from anyone but myself.  Much of life is fair to those that are willing to work for it.

Plans? As a good friend once told me, "I love it when a plan comes together, whether it's plan A, B, C, or D..............  

Rams  

[cookiedough]

My daughter just got back from a school trip to Costa Rica where they visited a school in a very poor area and gave them a bunch of sporting goods, school supplies, etc. She said they have nothing. They get 1 square of toilet paper per day. Yet she said she’s never met happier kids. The toilet paper thing alone would make me pretty miserable.  

Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.  

same here, my daughter 3-4 years ago in high school Spanish class took trip to Costa Rica where the poor area is very poor while others areas are pretty wealthy.  They all stayed in homes for a week in not the best part of the neighborhood where the showers were QUICK and timed and one house had a pet spider living in the walls.   Daughter surely got an eye opener of how spoiled and 'wealthy' we are in the US even if we live in a small ranch home in a one horse town..

I see more and more people around me retiring early age 60-63 so they must be well enough off to make a go of it the next 20 years or so?  I for one cannot foresee that happening to us though, will see I guess in the next 15 years or so?  There are days at work where I just bite my tongue and grin and bear it, while not walking out, but know others elsewhere have had it much worse though as well.