"Travel light but there is nothing here," said a friend on Cortes. I was perplexed and frustrated by this but did as she told me to. In particular, because I had to take two planes, two ferries and cross over two islands, some of it hitch hiking because there is no transportation system here, no taxis, no shuttles. This is the way.
I was a bit hesitant at first and shy about hitch hiking being a city gal and having an overactive imagination but if that's the only way to get around the island, you have to do it and locals are happy to pick up people and transport them. They realize this is part of the responsibility of owning a car on the island, which seems like a luxury when you are walking or biking the hilly terrain to get to where you want to go. And this is part of living in community and in a human eco system where people talk to one another to get things done and want to make each other's lives easier.
Also, like most islands, and it is no different here, either the island likes you or it doesn't. If it likes you, then things come your way easily and if it doesn't, it spits you out and wants to leave as soon as you can. I am usually a positive person, though can have my moments of self-pity and victimhood like everyone else. I wanted the island goddess on my side, think she's a woman, so I prayed a lot to the island goddess and whoever to help me if I am to be here. I am spiritual but not a religious-must-go-to-church person, but I figure that prayer is like the icing on the cake. If it can't hurt, and might just help, why not try it? And the goddess keeps on saying "yes" loud and clear "you need to be here" and keeps on showering me with opportunities and gifts.
I have been blessed by many opportunities in my life and am grateful, or in other words, as my friend Angela says, "you have a horseshoe up your ass". I've had my share of painful and sad moments in my life, but I tend not to dwell with on them, and I realize as the famous author CS Lewis says, that you can not experience happiness without the sadness, it is both sides of the same coin. I believe that and these learnings, however frightening and painful they might be for me at the time, have made me stronger and what I am today. I have no regrets, or very little. Also I get by with a lot of support from my good friends, therapists, healers, the universal forces whatever they may be (not quite sure about who is out there but I believe there is someone out there) and most recently I am learning to become my best friend and be there for me instead of walking away, which I have often done in the past.
I really wanted to bring my bike but it was impossible with all the travelling I would be doing to get here. I just couldn't picture myself with my baggage and bike, so I had to sadly leave it behind. I thought the place I would be staying at would be close to work but it is a good 40 minute walk in the country with no lights. I work very early day shifts, starting at 5:30 am, or evening shifts, starting in the early afternoon and closing around 9 or 10 pm. I was anxious about getting there and back because I would be walking in pitch dark on new terrain with only a headlamp. When I told my boss about my concern, she said, "you have a flashlight right?" It wasn't in a mean or condescending way, but it was practical, direct and honest advice. The way around here.
After staying in this victimhood for a few days, and waiting for some miracle to save me in a more whiny way, I got more present and real. I needed a bike! Actually, I got one initially from a friend of a friend in Ottawa, but it was too small for me and rusty and painful to ride. So the first part of trying to manifest anything I realized is that you need to be specific. I started asking for a bike in Ottawa and got one, miraculously just down the street from where I am living here, but I didn't put in important words like in "good working condition", "fits me", "I can ride easily". You make think this is here say but those in the know will be nodding in agreement.
There are no towns on Cortes Island, only a few stores, and certainly no bike or other store where to buy or rent a bike. There is not even a bank. So I did what people do here, I started talking to people and asking them where I could get a bike, to spread the word. In a small community, it's like that phone tag game, and if you want something spread then say it to one person, and if you don't want something spread then keep your mouth shut.
By the end of the day, I had a great bike delivered to me that I was renting for the season from "the bike guy" on the island. He's the one people ask for help with their bikes, everyone knows that and all roads so to speak led me to him. He says he does carpentry work, but there is a need for people to repair their bikes and so he does it on his off time. He doesn't make much money at it, but he does it because it is needed. I hear that a lot from people here, they want to help others where and when needed, their community. A friend had her bike not working and he came to repair it at her place. When she asked him how much, he knew she didn't have a lot of money and said don't worry about it, just pay it forward. There are a lot of big hearts on the island, and the bike guy is one of them. Considering that he has a family with a wife and three kids to support, he needs money but it's not his main motive.
I'm learning...
- To manifest what I want, be exact though, and it won't work if you don't truly believe and trust in the process.
- With manifestation, there must be actions as well. You can't just sit there and wait, although sometimes things come unexpectedly.
- Ask around for what you want with an open heart. The big ask, as they say in fund raising. Though understand that you may get what you need and not want you want, from my experience.
- Get it, be grateful, and pay forward this good fortune and karma, or whatever you call it.
Island magic or perhaps magic that is there for us wherever we may live and dream.
