Right Here, Right Now

 

When people mention retirement to Jared, he doesn't know how to respond. 

This is a man who lives every moment, of every day, as it is, right now. 

Does he have some challenging days? Yes. Some bad moments? Yes. Some occasional seasons of depression? Sure. 

But Jared understands that these less than perfect pieces of life will happen during retirement, too. 

This guy truly enjoys his job, his here, his now. He serves, he connects, he loves, he treats. His income is modest compared to the other chiropractors in the area, but I have to imagine his quality of life is as high as it can be. His patients don't know that he comes home at night and ices his wrists, because he's given his energy to the people who need what he has to give.

Now let's be honest, Jared also ices his wrists so he can spend his Fridays casting a fly rod, building a camp, and going after birds. And the sore wrists are the price he pays for 11-12 hour days, Monday through Thursday.

Truly, I have no idea how he's not crying into his pillow from exhaustion from working and adventuring so intensely. If he were a dog, he'd surely be a German Shorthaired Pointer. 

Saturdays are for house projects, and for the kids.

The secret to his drive might be The Sabbath. He spends his Sundays close to home, not running errands, and not pushing himself to work or to adventure. On Sundays, he talks a lot about gratitude.

This guy, this Mainer, this liver of life is the total and complete inspiration behind Gravel Road Guide Service. He teaches everyone around him to catch the fish, breath the air, love the dog, listen to the album with the kid, and ponder The Divine. 

I used to hate hiking. It was so much work for no prize, no published time, no recognition. At this midlife point along my journey, Jared has washed over me. Take the hike. No one ever needs to know.

Love, 

Amy

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