Unexpected Turns - A New Chapter of the Journey Begins

     Music:
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd20sr5OIrw


     Pictures:

  This man's name is Lotz.
He taught me the art of the sign.
Which is part of the ancient art of asking.
Remember—be careful what you ask for.

 After sleeping on the concrete step of some chapel for three hours I kinda felt like crap, so I treated myself to a Yerba Mate at this nice cafe.

The nice cashier gave me some free iced tea and lemon water.
Just what I needed.

 Not wanting to sleep outside again, I worked for a day at this farm for room and board.
Amazing people (and amazing food). My time there shall be remembered.

I met these cool dudes through another cool person that I met by chance at a farmer's market.
We played magic cards in this park at midnight!

 This is the first time I have ever jammed!
I'm still working on learning the harmonica but I hope I did well enough.

 We got Father Time on guitar!
Ki'ev on drum!
Sara on vocals and ukelele! (she's gonna be famous one day for sure!)
And Justin on Harmonica!
THIS WAS SO COOOOOL!!!

 This is one of my favorite moments of my journey so far.
I plan to continue blowin' into that thing 'til I can reeeally play it!
And I can't wait to jam again!

Asheville was SO rad that if I didn't escape when I did I may never have left!
I'll definitely return one day.
So long Asheville! Coolest city so far!

 Camped along another beautiful river, The French Broad!

 Good Morning (:

Welcome to Tennessee!

 That's the arm that broke!

The fated camp site.
I wonder, had I kept riding, would I have avoided my injury?
Logic implies yes, but I truly believe that if we don't learn our lessons, it is only a matter of time before they are taught to us. Again and again if necessary.

     And when I was brought low:
     (This was the original post. Everything else was added in afterwards).
     First of all, I want to apologize to anyone reading this. Last week I wrote about conceit vs. low self-esteem, and I feel I have to admit now that I had grown conceited. Not so much in the way that I thought I was better than anyone else, but more in my general capabilities. Certainly, I'm a decent cyclist, and I suppose that's nice. However, there's more to the world than feet rotating pedals, and I have so so much to learn. I think it is important for all of us to remember that no matter who we are, what we've done, or what we're doing; we have so so much to learn.
     Secondly, I want to admit that I have been gluttonous. I tried pairing that gluttony with extreme generosity to counteract it' but it doesn't work that way. We aught be as generous as we can be anyways, not use good deeds to excuse or balance out any of our behavior we know to be unrighteous.
     What am I really trying to do out here? What am I looking for? What am I trying to accomplish?
Am I just gallivanting around the country on a bicycle, taking hand-outs from people that think it's cool? Are my words, either from mouth, pen, or hand, just wind? I am truly trying to improve myself here—to work on my weaknesses and grow to a stronger person—but perhaps I am having too much fun.
     So I failed. I messed up. I blew it and I'm sorry. Climbing onto a log, I placed my foot on a piece of wood jutting out and began lifting myself, but the wood was rotted and it collapsed. I feel, and my arm slipped in between two crossing beams of fallen tree.
     Snap.
     I broke my left arm.
     It's really all my fault. I see this as punishment for my aforementioned transgressions.
     I want everyone to know though that I am not giving up. This is part of my journey. Another trial to overcome. Another mountain to climb. I guess I'll be stuck in Tennessee for a while though haha! After all, I do believe I have said that I would die before returning home in failure. I meant that.
     Most of this week was an adventure in Asheville, which was an awesome city by the way! That'll have to wait for a while though. My things are safe, but I don't know where they are. Much of my stuff I may be parting with as well..
     Regardless, my goal remains clear. To cross this country using my own power—my own two legs. Even brought low, I shall not quit. Thank you all for believing in me. We struggle through the darkness to reach the light. Love you all <3


     Poetry:

     "Never Stop Improving"

     Upon wings of Steel my pride grew strong
     Over mountains and valleys I flew along
     For what was I searching? For what did I long?
     To be better? Deserving? Oh! I was so wrong.

     And as I received that which I sought
     Small gratitude in my heart was wrought
     More and more. Gifts given for naught
     More and more. To consume was why I fought

     Corruption. Temptation. So easily lured
     Sweet voice of truth—bitter choice to go unheard
     And even after breaking my word
     Still a hand outstretched—if only I'd learned

     Thus my wings were clipped and so I fell
     Once descended 'tis clear to tell
     Each sign ignored as conscious would yell
     Timeless presence with pain and ones failure is hell

     Yet from this pit we can escape if we fight
     Goodness give us strength. Wisdom give us sight
     We stride through darkness of night
     For the greater the darkness, the greater the light.