The other night I was chatting online with a friend who made a comment about how “lucky” I am to be able to be experiencing this trip, travelling across this great country of ours.

I don’t really believe in “luck” nor do I believe that I am any more or less lucky than anyone else. I am grateful for what I have and accept what life brings my way. I believe we create our lives and our experiences in a number of ways. And, of course, I believe in listening to and following my heart.

Her comment got me thinking about the concept of luck however, and our perceptions of luck, when it greets us in our own lives or in the lives of others. It got me thinking enough that it lead me to write the following on my Facebook page last night.

“Luck, whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’, has nothing to do with it. We are where we are because of the choices we’ve made, thoughts we’ve carried with us, risks we’ve taken or not taken and actions we’ve put into motion. That’s the hard truth of life – we’re the only ones that we can hold accountable for where we are and how we respond when life offers us the ‘good’ or the ‘bad’”.

Life is quite ironic the way that it works at times. This morning I awoke to the reality that Miss Daisy wouldn’t start. The engine wouldn’t even turn over, she wouldn’t even take a boost.  I would have several hours today to ponder thoughts on “luck” and listening to your heart.

I had intended to leave my campsite which was situated about 50 kms to the east of Rogers Pass, BC and head to Cranbrook for a few days. In addition to being the crown jewel of the TransCanada highway, Rogers Pass is known to be a challenging strip of road to drive for its steep incline, tunnels, sharp curves and unpredictable or sudden shifts in weather. After reading up a bit on the drive through the area and spending a day cycling up and back to the top of the Pass, I’d already decided that I didn’t feel comfortable making the drive in Miss Daisy. Instead, I would drive to Cranbrook, a more circuitous route but one I felt better about. Always listen to your heart when it speaks to you, about anything, I am reminded.

Life presents us with “good” and “bad”, often they are just the flip sides of the same coin. I try to accept that both have a role in our lives, for reasons that may not immediately be apparent. So, when Miss Daisy wouldn’t start this morning, rather than panicking or feeling frustrated at the sudden turn in my day, I wondered to myself “why is this challenge being presented to me?” The answer would come soon enough.

I was thankful to have purchased a CAA membership prior to leaving on my trip. A tow truck driver came from the town of Golden, 23 kms away, within an hour of my call. As Ted, the tow truck driver, worked on Miss Daisy I stood back and watched. Ted seemed very attentive and patient in his work. I appreciated the way he was handling my precious cargo, it was a good sign.

In moments such as this, your thoughts can run amuck. Wondering what the issue is, how much it will cost to repair, how long it may take, etc.? I’ve learned that my heart will let me know if it’s a time for worry.

Holding onto my faith pendant, I looked up to the sky and asked the universe for some guidance today and whether I needed to worry about Miss Daisy or the situation. My heart answered me in its calmness. I knew then that I had no reason to worry. All would work out just fine.

Ted carefully preparing Miss Daisy for her tow

Ted must have spent an hour on Miss Daisy, readying her for the tow. I could not have asked for a better tow truck driver. If you ever need to be towed in Golden, ask for Ted!! He even summoned his wife and daughter to drive out from Golden with extra bungie cords to secure the towing lights. You have to value someone who puts so much thought into their work.

On the drive into Golden, Ted and I chatted easily. Ted was a retired logger, who’d spent most of his life in Golden, and this was a part-time job for him. He also mentioned that he used to work at a nearby campground and often met travellers from around the world. On one occasion, he befriended a couple of Australians who’d told him that while in Canada they wanted to see a bear and a moose. I think in my lifetime, I’ve seen a moose twice here in Canada. Ted took them up to an area near town and they waited. In short time, a moose appeared. The Australians were thrilled. Ted then said, “Look in the rear view mirror.” There was a black bear behind them. What are the odds of that “luck”?

There are no coincidences in life. I listened to Ted tell that story and I knew that I would have my wishes granted too – to get Miss Daisy fixed easily and inexpensively and to be on my way to Cranbrook today.  Ted seemed like the type of guy who could bring wishes and people together.

A few minutes later we arrived at the garage, Columbia Deisel, under dark skies. You could see that a storm was brewing in the area.

I was fortunate that the mechanics had the time to wheel Miss Daisy into the shop within the hour. I worked on my laptop in the waiting area, the sound of heavy winds and rain coming from outside. Shortly before 5 pm, Dave, the mechanic came to tell me that Miss Daisy was ready to go.

As I packed up my laptop, a gentleman arrived at the service counter. In somewhat of a panicked voice he told the clerk that while driving his motorhome down Rogers Pass in the windstorm, a tree had fallen and hit his RV, slicing off his side mirror and rendering his signal lights non-functioning.

Two different travellers, two different choices, two different risks, two different actions, two different experiences, two people who both experienced the two sides of the coin of luck today.

I’m glad to have listened to my heart and not taken Rogers Pass. I’m glad for the “bad” luck of Miss Daisy not starting this morning; luck which kept me off the road during the storm. This other driver had his share of “bad” luck and “good” luck as well; things could have turned out much worse for him.

I got my wish. A relatively inexpensive repair and a safe arrival in Cranbrook this evening.

To the universe, thank you for bringing me Ted, he was a true gift, as was the gang at Columbia Deisel. To my heart, thank you once again for guiding me with your infinite wisdom.

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