Hitchhiking Through Life

While we seem to be seeing fewer hitchhikers in general (maybe because of Uber, but maybe because of too many serial killer movies playing to our fears of picking up an ax murderer), it appears to me there are two kinds of hitchhikers out there. The first and most common variety simply stand alongside of a road with their thumb out. They are completely stationary and are wholly dependent on the benevolence of passersby to get anywhere. Their only hope is for someone else to come by and deliver a little luck in the form of a ride. Without the favor of a third party, nothing happens.

The other type are the walkers. Although they may have their thumb out and would willingly accept a little assistance, they are constantly moving towards their destination regardless of who does or doesn’t stop to help. They may get a ride, they may not, but either way, each moment brings them a little closer to their goal. Even without the windfall of a ride from a stranger, they will make it eventually.

We cannot control who “picks us up” in life and how few and far between those rides are, but we can control whether we are moving towards our destination. We aren’t helpless. We don’t have to stand there and wait for circumstances to improve. We can walk.

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