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Shortly after that rare stint of a real job, I took my wages and split for Asia, where I roamed off and on for the next 8 years. As I stood there with my thumb outstretched, the only question in my mind was simply: "How will the miracle happen today?"
UNIVERSE WILL CONSPIRE FULL
Each morning I counted on the service of ordinary commuters who had lives full of their own worries, and yet without fail, at least one of them would do something kind, as if on schedule. It never ceased to amaze me even then, that the kindness of strangers could be so dependable. I had to punch-in for my job as a packer at a warehouse at 8 o'clock sharp, and I can't remember ever being late. I'd walk down three blocks to Route 22 in New Jersey, stick out my thumb and wait for a ride to work. When I was in my twenties I would hitchhike to work everyday. Yet, most of us are no good at being helpless, humble or indebted.īefore the news of this year, a little personal story. As a matter of fact, we are all at the receiving end of a huge gift simply by being alive. They radiate a sense of being indebted and a state of being thankful. I've only slowly come to realize that good givers are those who learn to receive with grace as well. With each gift the threads of benevolence are knotted, snaring both giver and recipient. When the miracle flows, it flows both ways. In exchange I would get a place to camp and a dish of ice cream. My job at that moment was clear: I was to relate my adventure, and in the retelling of what happened so far, they would get to vicariously ride a bicycle across America - a thrill they secretly desired but would never do. And there was always more, like an invitation into their home. I've just eaten dinner, and I'll be gone first thing in the morning." I was never turned away, not once. I'd ring the bell and say, "I'd like to pitch my tent tonight where I have permission. In the evenings I'd scout houses for a likely yard to camp in.
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One year I rode my bicycle across America. During the moment the stranger offers his or her goodness, the person being aided offers degrees of humility, indebtedness, surprise, trust, delight, relief and amusement to the stranger. I learned to think of this as an exchange. If you are lost or ill, this is easy, but most days you are neither, so embracing extreme generosity takes some preparation. To solicit a gift from a stranger takes a certain state of openness. I have developed a belief about what happens in these moments and it goes like this: Kindness is like a breath. I've lost track of the number of generous acts aimed at me there, but they arrived as dependably as my daily hitchhiking miracle. Shortly after that job, I took my wages and split for Asia. As I stood there with my thumb outstretched, the only question in my mind was simply, "How will the miracle happen today?" Each morning, I counted on the service of ordinary commuters who had lives full of their own worries and yet, without fail, at least one of them would do something generous, as if on schedule. Someone always picked me up, and I was never late. When I was in my 20s, I would hitchhike to work every day.