I’m riding my bike along West Cliff, a beautiful bluff overlooking the Monterey Bay. I do this pretty regularly. I love my bike. I love the bay. You never know what you’re going to see. Whales? Otters? Dolphins? Lately, there have been tons of shore birds. They migrate here in winter. So I’m riding along, and, as usual, I pass this spit of asphalt that juts out from the bike path and overlooks the bay. It’s what’s left of an old road or bike path, one I assume got washed away at some point. I often pull over and sit on it awhile. It’s like having my own little bayside deck. It also looks down on the beach where Dixie and I first kissed twenty-eight years ago, so it has special meaning. Today, however, I’m planning to ride past. The exercise feels good, and I’m feeling kind of hurried. So much to do! That is, until I see something turquoise sitting on the asphalt promontory. Trash? I think, and pull over. I cannot abide trash at this sacred site.
It turns out not to be trash. It’s a river rock painted bright blue with the word Compassion on it. I get off my bike, and take a moment to meditate on why, on this day, I needed to see that word. There are so many reasons! Compassion for my friends who are going through tough times, compassion for my country that seems like it’s going to hell in a hand basket, compassion for people who seem to be steering it in that direction, and lastly, compassion for myself because sometimes I can be so un-compassionate. Especially with all the talk—or lack of talk—about climate change. I get so angry. Why aren’t we doing more? Why aren’t we doing everything possible to abate this looming tragedy? Why aren’t I?
Hands in the air, I stretch up to the sky, allow myself to feel the bigness of this thought. An old man passerby shouts to me, “Hey! You have a bright future!” Not what I expected to hear. I turn and laugh. “I hope so!” I say, to which he responds, “No, you do! I can see it! You’re on the right track!”
But how much future do we really have? The climatologists believe not much. Still, standing out there on West Cliff, looking out at my beautiful bay, I want to believe in a bright future. I want to believe that as a species we’re going to figure this out. There’s so much a stake! The old man’s words were also a reminder of how powerful an act of kindness is. With just those few words, he made me feel hope. So, I may feel powerless when it comes to stopping climate change, bigotry, stupidity but that doesn’t stop me from walking with compassion, from treating those I pass with kindness.
So blessings to you, my friends. May your future—be just minutes from now, or years, or centuries—be bight and shiny. And remember, live the love, it’s all we’ve got.
Another rock seen on my ride
Thank you and back atcha…I mean it.
Cool.
Nice! You say things so well, Cliffy. Miss you guys! I’ll be back 11/1 maybe even get to IMPROV
11/3.
It’s gotten cold here in Maine …. and blowy. But still beautiful. Gets dark by 6PM. I’m ready to fly across…………..
A big YES to this Cliffi! And LOVE to you…And Ann (great to see your comment!)
xoxox
Hugs to you up there in the wild north! I know you walk with compassion. You always have.
Brrrr. Come back to yummy Santa Cruz. We miss you.
❤️
This is amazing! Wow! You find the rock and then the old man blesses you with his intuition!
I love this!
And your special place where you and Dixie first kissed!
A flood of my own memories arose as I read this, stories that I have never written about!
Strange…then I thought, time to ask you to put me on the waiting list for your writing group again♡
here’s to bright future and the ease of suffering in those in our worlds and in the whole universe!
Tara🙏💙
Thanks, Tara. Yeah, you are on the list, but no spots have opening up! Maybe one of these days I’ll start another. I keep threatening…
Compassion: One of my favorite words. It reminds me to invite it – “Come passion”, prompting me to be passionate about kindness … and mindfulness … and non-judgement. It also brings to mind: “Co-passion”, to partner with other beings on things that matter … benevolence, charity, love, sharing, laughter … and to create community abounding with a caring spirit. Compassion invites me to walk in another’s shoes – to diminish bigotry – to share with needy strangers some of the “riches” that have come my way. Compassion’s sister is self-less love; and even if I don’t like the current direction of some of humanity – I feel that my compassion can help (in a small but powerful way) the tone and direction of that force. I applaud you, for bringing these marvelous thoughts – on this amazing day! Love much, Brother James
I love that! “Come passion!” Will meditate on it. Thank you for checking in, dear brother. Adore you! (But you know that.)
Thanks for the uplifting words Cliff. Love it. Peace.