Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Reflections on Gratitude

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A man and his dog.
It’s the simple things that give life meaning.

Thanksgiving. Given the choice between tradition and reality, I choose the latter. And for me, reality means processing the notion of gratitude and giving thanks. Turkey, football, family gathering; a nice traditions but they don’t necessarily translate into anything beyond a formal escape from the trudging of daily life.

For my part, I’ll remember the good in my life and the gifts I’ve received both large and small. As I sit in the garden as I often do, my dog Junior reminds me that my needs are not great, and my blessings expansive beyond what I deserve.

I wish each of you a good Thanksgiving Holiday however you may celebrate it (or not). And if you’re on the road riding, be safe.

For those of you looking for stories and pictures of rides — there’s much to come once I sit down and write.

Giving Thanks

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Wisp of clouds in a blue sky over a mountain top.
Looking to the sky for gratitude and Thanksgiving.

Gratitude

This is a story about riding a motorcycle and giving thanks.

It’s easy for me to overlook the good things in my life. I blame the rush and chaos of everyday living, but the truth is — giving thanks is a habit I’ve not fully developed. Just as Ebenezer Scrooge learned to keep Christmas in his heart every day of the year, so should I learn the same in regard to Thanksgiving.

I ventured out on the motorcycle on a fine, crisp November morning at 35F. Gazing into a blue sky I felt gratitude for having another day to live.

The underlying, original motivation for Thanksgiving may have been pure, but my experiences of the day growing up were one of holiday, complete with family traveling to be together, a huge meal, arguments at the table followed by football on television and grown men asleep in the living room.

There’s nothing wrong with any of that. But a fundamental ingredient was absent the day — gratitude.

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Giving Thanks

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Hot chocolate at Saint's Cafe in State College, PennsylvaniaGiving Thanks Fueled by Hot Chocolate

While sitting at the window in Saint’s Cafe last night, a short interlude during errands, fueled by hot chocolate, the moment provided space to reflect on Thanksgiving and what giving thanks really means to me.

As a kid, Thanksgiving Day was always about food and hanging out in front of the television with my dad and uncles watching the Detroit Lions lose to someone. The fine china came out and I usually had to polish the seldom used silver for this special event. The entire family played their roles as the warm and familiar event unfolded each year.

I don’t remember giving thanks for anything though. At least not consciously.

Fast forward 55 years and Thanksgiving Day has a different meaning. I’m fully aware of how grateful I am for the bounty of physical, emotional and spiritual gifts that have been bestowed upon me and my family. I’m grateful that I can accept the days as they come and that pain as well as happiness are part of life. My job is simple — to stay present and experience what unfolds each day.Continue Reading

Thanks and Gratitude

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An empty road through a quiet forest engenders thanks and gratitudeFor each person reading these words, for every bot and robot that crawls these pages, for each breath I take as I type this note — thank you.  In remembrance of Thanksgiving Day, some moments of reflection on blessings require from me some thanks and gratitude.  Those words, thanks and gratitude, are simple yet difficult destinations due to neglect or resistance.  Sometimes a forced, mechanical effort in their name help brighten the world and give meaning to the road ahead.

This morning I went for a short ride on a winding road in Rothrock State Forest.  The road goes nowhere and everywhere — the choice is mine and resides between my ears as part of the swirling thoughts, ideas and expectations that make up each moment.

With the Vespa parked along side the road and my wandering thoughts fading I see the road ahead.  I don’t know where I’m going, what I might see around the bend, or how long the ride will be.  All I know right now is I give thanks and gratitude for being on this road.

I’m reminded of a quote by G.K. Chesterton:

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

Perhaps there is a destination toward which I can travel.

For each of you today, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and that you find yourselves in a place of thanks and gratitude.