Page 39 - Manila Up Vol3#7

Some mornings as the roosters crow, I see footprint included. And riding the commute on
the semi feral cats at random either lounging on the Maui Bus has given me more than I expected
top of a car or simply sitting as relaxed as can be in the most profound encounters along the way.
watching the world go by in stately confidence. The glad mix of tourists, regular riders and some
Then, starts my day. With such blessings, simple more extreme characters share the bus to our
as they may be I find "The Gift". The realization destinations. As a metaphor, life is a bus ride, we
that here I am as blessed as most others on Maui get on, meet some riders already there, the next
who appreciate where we are here and now. stop unloads and on come other riders. This goes
Tomorrow may not have the same sunrise nor the on, till it's our stop... we leave those we met behind
magnificent sunset we have been accustomed to as others board to replace the space we vacate.
seeing, yet the gift is in the heart. Some days less Humbling as it may seem, I see "The Gift" ever
or more spectacular in its beginnings and endings. present in this journey (my late Mom called it a
I have opted for the "minimalist" lifestyle with 'pilgrimage'). Then as now it is evergreen ~ what a
'less is more' as my guiding mantra. Less carbon wonderful world. n

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