Be Available
It’s hard to believe that I’ve already been on the road for about 4 ½ weeks, rather quickly making my way to the east coast through the southern states. I was shocked by the juxtaposition of open roads and campsites against the sudden arrival to cities like Brooklyn and Boston.
Throughout the rush, I’ve found moments to relax and catch up with friends old and new, and enjoy the variety of scenic views in historic areas like Portland and the hill country of Maine.
I arrived in Arcadia National Park to find limited access due to construction and seasonal closures – something I wasn’t really prepared for. Badger and I explored a bit and took some photos, but as I contemplated the long 3-hour drive to the closest available campsite, an unexpected plan began to form.
A friend back home connected me to friends of his living just an hour away from the park. Bill and Stephanie welcomed me to a small cabin on their remote property I could stay at, which changed the course of my trip.
I would continue my stay with them longer than planned because of two things that I’d like to share:
The first was a call to a good friend who convinced me that I should take advantage of the cozy cottage during the rainy weather in order to rest and reflect on finishing this first part of the trip.
The second was a conversation with Bill. I asked him what advice he might have for being in a healthy relationship. He simply said, “Be available to be wrong and to be corrected.”
Be available.
So far I’ve had to adapt and change schedule and direction multiple times while quickly deciding where to stay for the night. It’s exciting, but it can be tiring. Decision fatigue is very real. But I think there is something deeper to hold onto with this simple phrasing.
I’m not always aware when I have closed myself off to others until after the fact. When reflecting, it's easier to spot our shortcomings than in the moment. Although there may be unhealthy ways of being too “available”, I want to lean more into the idea of being open to change, adapting, mystery and the unknown. Instead of stubbornly forcing one thing to happen, maybe let another happen. Instead of fighting the current, see where it takes you.
If I were to end this road trip right now, that lesson alone would stick with me: be available.
Be available to be wrong.
Be available to change.
Be available to a new experience.
Be available.
As I continue on, my availability to love and be loved feels like it is expanding. Allowing others to care for you can be difficult if you overvalue self-reliance, but receiving both tangible and intangible gifts is a reminder that you are not alone and others see you.
The next act of availability of course, is to then be available to give back.
~AG
