The word for today is undeniable and bold: karma.

A few days ago I had been imagining myself as a sponge. After traveling for weeks, living out of the two small bags strapped to the sides of my bicycle with very little to offer the world, I have been amazed and comforted by the ever-present willingness of other people to help. By offering maps. Answering questions. Or sharing a simple smile or honk of encouragement. And all too often I feel as though I have nothing to offer in return. “Thank you”… but it’s never enough. So I have been turning into a karma sponge, soaking up the positive gifts of the world around me and not finding myself in a position to pass them on. I was in the middle of committing this image to memory so as to remember it after the trip when we met Scott.

We arrived in Santa Cruz around lunchtime—after a short ride from rural Pescadero—when we were approached by a smiling college student curious about our tour. He and a friend had just returned from a coast to coast ride before returning for the fall semester. Still carrying the spirit of all the people who helped them on their journey, Scott offered to call his cycling partner Zane who room for us to stay for the night. We had planned to camp few miles outside town, so the offer was very appealing. After exploring the town on our own for the afternoon, Zane and Scott cooked us dinner and put us up for the night. They expressed a deep gratitude for the help they received along the way, the extent of which surprised them. It seemed so simple and obvious to them that offering us what they could was a way to begin giving back.

As we shared stories over dinner tonight, Scott—who was just beginning his studies as a freshman—explained the power of taking a bicycle tour before coming to college. While other incoming freshmen were complaining about the size of dorm rooms, the lack of food options in the dining hall, and the inconsiderateness of their roommates, Scott and Zane were filled with gratitude. Weeks on the road, sleeping wherever they could—including abandoned houses and baseball field dugouts—left them extraordinarily thankful for the roof over their heads, the availability of drinking water, and the abundance of food on campus. “I have a bed!” Scott exclaimed with zestful appreciation. They found themselves uninterested by conversations about petty complaints and instead connected with people over their passions for adventure while acknowledging their fortunes. In that mindset of gratitude, Scott and Zane took the time and effort during their first day of class to make Jason and I feel welcomed.

Some of the positive karma they received on their journey has now been passed to us, and Scott and Zane have served as brilliant models to remind me to spread and share the karma I am soaking up, even when I feel I have little to give back.

Posted on September 28th, 2007 by Derrick
Filed under: Uncategorized