I was sitting in a Texas bbq joint in Big Sky, MT the other day watching monster truck highlights. I enjoyed the programming more than I'll admit. The male in me purely enjoyed having something to stare at and plus it's much harder to entertain your eyes when by yourself at a public establishment.
I was grabbing a meal at this spot based on a local's recommendation and it was raining so the campsite didn't seem like a fun option. I've had a lot of time to gain perspective and think about humanity sans the news and social media in the past few weeks. Some of the most insightful settings I've had is simply being a fly on the wall and watching a local community in their natural setting via a coffeeshop or bar.
With all of the negativity blasted 24/7 it's been really great to see the jovial interactions of friends in a small town.
I've been traveling for the past 3 weeks from Tennessee to Montana, mostly camping but also mooching off the hospitality of friends in towns where I have an acquaintance. The more time I spend outside of a city the more I realize life isn't as complex as the news is telling us.
Simultaneously, I'm reading a book that is talking about how civilizations actually band together in a tighter form during times of chaos. From a nomadic and blissfully ignorant perspective, our world isn't on fire. Maybe you live in a city and not a small town. Same sentiment, love on your inner circle and treat strangers the same.
My message is simple here: This too shall pass. To keep you returning to click on their stories, media will tell you different. As polarizing as the current events are, if you disconnect, there are other things to talk about. I promise.
Turn off the screen time and get outside with friends. Yep.
Here are a couple traveling snapshots:
New in my life: National parks and zoos are close cousins. I prefer my coffee shop to have a clucking chicken aesthetic. Snowmen aren't extinct.
Keep smilin'
Yep
