22.12.08 - the one legged man walking up the Pali

soul aloha friday

During one of the lowest holistic wellness days of my life, my car had broken down and I needed to take the bus up the Pali from the Windward Side of Oahu to get to Town for an appointment.

I don’t recall the specific reason I was upset. It was some combo of the ending relationship I was in, not enjoying my job, this unexpected expense and subsequent inconvenience.

I just remember feeling miserable.

I also remember waiting at the bus stop in a pretty ‘meh’ mood, don’t remember boarding the bus, but being stuck in my head, lamenting my situation when…

AS the bus made its ascent, next to us on the narrow strip of sidewalk was a man, on crutches, with one leg, hopping along, making his way up. He wore a t-shirt and shorts, didn’t see his face, just the movement, the slow, methodical hopping that made the seemingly sloth-like bus feel like a Lamborghini flying up the mountain.

As I saw that, the ‘meh’ mood was put on pause just long enough for me to reflect and really feel what I’d long heard before - no matter what you’re going through, someone always has its worse.

Life’s not perfect.

Life’s not getting easier.

But goshdarnit to heck, it’s still beautiful in so many ways and the strangest of teachers show up as people, moments, experiences with people within each moment, many of which can change us forever…

Soul whether you relate to the angry young(er) jmaw in the story, the man hopping on one leg, or just another passenger oblivious to what’s going on, remember today’s a gift, exactly as it is, and we’ll shift to where we do, whenever that is.

Much Love and Light!