In the afterglow of the trip, I have considered the invaluable lessons learned through my physical, mental, and spiritual journey across the United States. Specious assumptions regarding the interior of the country have been exchanged for deep feelings of compassion and empathy for the struggles of living in a different environment.

In addressing the three pillars of the trip, Eros, Logos, and Ethos, I ultimately succeeded in developing a new understanding of the nuances of each. I will elucidate minimally:

Eros – The Divine Sense of Purpose

I have begun to observe a greater sense of serendipity as it connects us all under the Great Gig in the Sky. As an isolated concept, “purpose” has no relative bearing when discordant with logos or ethos. It’s the bullet that stands in idle harmlessness without the firing pin of a gun. But when drive and discipline are applied, the sense of purpose is the revealed as the clearest manifestation of one’s self identity.

Logos – Applied Decision Making En-Route to the Elegant Solution

Each new decision on this trip provided an opportunity to employ a systematic approach to discover more efficient and effective methodologies in problem solving. The epistemology of the word “decision” is to “cut off.” I have grown to use this cerebral knife of logic to effectively make decisions to utilize the optimal decision as an elegant solution to a problem.

Ethos – The Foundation of Romantic Thinking

The effects of serendipity on this trip have revealed an inherent connection between humanity and its course of action. In a dire need to establish a kindred purpose, communities rely on the obligations of core organizations to provide a communal focus of empathy when in fact, we are tied by much more carnal/basic needs. Communities that focus around work and produce a commercialized product seemed bound in a tighter knit but are unable to interpret messages outside the “tribe.” Conversely, communities large enough to sustain  the services of corporate giants (i.e. Walmart) appeared stripped of their identity narrative and purpose.

Moving forward

During the past week, I have used my time here in NYC to explore new areas of the city, visit friends, and reflect upon my experiences and how I can maintain the lessons learned on the trip. The active lifestyle and considerable bike infrastructure of Manhattan makes it easier to see myself living here but I now look forward to the next adventure in my life.  Here’s to the next 96 days.