Only happiness can bring us together

Our country is divided ecomomically, racially, politically, right? All we need to do is get everybody on a motorcycle.

This asinine idea occurred to me while I was running west on Rt. 6 on my Triumph last Saturday. When you're on a country road and you see a motorcycle coming the other way, you remove your left hand from the handlebar and you give a low wave. And almost invariably, he or she waves back—sometimes a little peace sign.

I've spent lots of time trying to figure out precisely what the wave signifies, and initially I decided it boils down to: "Everybody in the world knows the risks of riding motorcycles. But you and I, brother, we also know the rewards."

But over 10,000 miles of reflection over the last two summers, I've reduced it further.

The wave means: "I'm friggin' happy right now—I feel strong, I feel brave, I feel free—and I know you feel just the same way."

Sharing that much, it doesn't matter to me that the other rider is a Harley-riding, gun-loving Tea Partyer. And he doesn't hold it against me that I am a pantywaist blogger who thinks that if individual people felt good about themselves more of the time, society wouldn't be so easily driven by mean assholes.

Comments

[Kristen]

". . . I am a pantywaist blogger who thinks that if individual people felt good about themselves more of the time, society wouldn't be so easily driven by mean assholes."

Brother, you are always thought-provoking, often funny, and always worth reading. With that one amazing statement, you just became - for me anyway - a seriously profound wise-man!

Like, Wow. You rock!!

[David Murray]

Thanks (much) Kristen. Your regular readership is a high compliment.