This past summer while visiting family and friends in Minnesota, a dear friend of ours Paula, gifted me a book called “Journey Into Now”, by Leonard Jacobson and said, “I think you’ll enjoy this read”. Thank you, Paula, not only did I enjoy it, I love it! Leonard has this gift of sharing stories in such a way that I was able to understand better how to integrate what I’ve been experiencing (the mystical) into my own life and share it with others both fearlessly and authentically. It has helped me confront questions such as, what the heck is happening to me? Why am I forgetting everything? How is it possible I’m able to remember everything? Nothing matters anymore! Everything matters! Over this past year, I’ve experienced such intense happiness and joy I didn’t know was possible. The flip side is I’ve felt the opposite as well, an unimaginable deep profound sadness, aloneness, anger, shame and guilt. These feelings are not new to me, I’ve felt this way all my life, often feeling like an outcast, feeling like something was wrong with me. The difference now is the level of intensity in which I feel and experience life. For well over a decade now, my feelings have gradually intensified. And if that wasn’t enough, these past several months life has become even more intense. And so, I asked the Universe, “What the heck am I supposed to do with it!?”. The answer was simple and powerful. Keep having fun! Keep laughing! Keep Smiling! Keep learning! Keep sharing the G.A.S. Stories! Embrace the unknown with questions, all the while remaining present in the NOW moment. The challenge is, it isn’t always fun. I don’t always feel like laughing or smiling.
If this is what it means to be a mystic, then I’m not sure I want any part of it! If this is what a life of a mystic experiences, I want more of IT! Yes, I know it all sounds confusing and complicated. To the mind it will always appear as complicated, until it isn’t. It becomes easier when you experience an increased awareness within the power of NOW. I’m extremely grateful to Josie, for she is my life preserver, my life line, my Soul Mate. She herself has been through her own journey contemplating the deeper questions in life, often coming up with what would appear to be no clear answers. I’m excited about our journey into the NOW moment together because I’ve finally experienced for myself what it means to Be present with and for another. I now get to BE Josie’s life line, BE her true Soul Mate.
OK, enough of the deep stuff, lets get back to the basics of life. Life is what you make it out to be. I’ve always looked at it as a playground for my own personal entertainment. Does that sound selfish? perhaps it is. It seems to have worked well for me, so I’m going to continue embracing what feels good. I’ve never enjoyed team sports. I’ve always been more into the individual adventure. Climbing rocks, biking, hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking or swimming to name a few of my favorite things to do. Lately my preferred activity is Mountain Biking, building and sharing chairs and Sitting in extremely beautiful Natural places for long periods of time.
I’ve needed new wheels and tires for my mountain bike for some time now and finally got my upgrade! Last week while traveling through Tucson, AZ, Josie spotted a bicycle shop going out of business and offering 30%-50% off everything. I got my new wheels and Josie got a new helmet. A large sign over the work bench apologized for their no longer offering bicycle repairs because of the closure and that was how I met JJ, owner of a small local bike shop called, JJ Bicycles. He told me a story about how this nationwide bicycle chain store first opened years ago and offered him a job. My first thought was, brilliant business strategy, hire the local bike experts that own local shops and you remove your competition and gain their clients all in one swoop. Unfortunately for this chain store, that strategy didn’t work out for them in the Tucson area. I was extremely impressed with JJ’s expertise, efficiency and his overall likability as a person. He got my wheels all put together and even did some minor tweaks to my bike and now I’m good for few more adventurous miles. So, if you find yourself in the Tucson area and in need of some help with your bike, stop by JJ Bicycles and tell him the G-Man sent you to get your G.A.S. Tank Filled Up.
Nature's G.A.S. Station 