At the top of a hike we met Robert, 74 and Mark along with his 2 grandsons. We had such a great connection, all of us decided to hike back down the mountain together.
At the bottom, Robert realized his tire was flat and he had no cell phone. The lug nuts were rusted in place and we were thankful for the chance to help him.
A few days later we all met up again! We happened upon an amazing buffet where everything was purchased from local farmers and grilled fresh. We promised the children we would go again our last day there.
So on our final night we made our way into town; a 20 mile drive down the mountain. We heard “pop”. We decided to keep driving. We thought better to make it into town vs being stuck on the side of the mountain at night; with our three children and a dog.
As we pull into the parking lot we hear the undeniable “flop flop” of a flat tire. We check for a spare; none there. Population 7,500. Hotels booked 100%. Rental car companies closed until Monday. All our belongings were 20 miles back up the mountain. No need for anger. Instead move toward acceptance; we would be sleeping in our cars.
“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” – Buddha.
We relaxed and sat still. We thought what we really need is another Tahoe to pull into the lot so we could borrow their spare tire. Before the thought is complete one pulls in. Charlie and Robert (ironically enough) agree to help us. Robert has the cell phone number of Dave’s Tire. It’s 9:00 p.m. and Dave answers his cell, agrees to drive to us, grab our rim, drive to his shop, put on a spare, drive back to our truck and installs the spare. Dave did all this based on pure trust. The next morning we return to his shop, return the spare and get four new tires all for only $440. When I return home there is Progressive check for $485 on an unrelated matter!
“All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?” – Buddha.
The mind may think a flat tire is bad. The mind may attach to negative thoughts about the tire. The mind also has the power to see what is in perfect alignment. The connection we all have to one another. The ability to learn from every event in our life. To be in the present. To accept what is.