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Hatfield.
People who would see him walking would stop and give him bottled water. He always takes the time to get a “sweaty” hug and a selfie. Complete strangers would walk with him sometimes for many hours. He is receiving more loving kindness than he could have ever imagined from all kinds of people from all walks of life.
During the town meet and greet he told us how much he loved the desert, but it is hard to say which area so far is his favorite because all of them are his favorite in some way. That he is more afraid of nature than people, although adds that he has never encountered any type of predatory animal. That he can get about 400 miles out of a pair of shoes, which are sponsored by Columbia Footwear. And when asked about family, he replied, “I’m not married and my mom completely supports me. She even walked the first 10 miles with me.”
That evening a wine and cheese reception was held at Active Kat Yoga.
Local resident MaryAnn Bell attended the event and says that he was the most positive person she had ever met. Stating that what touched her the most was his mantra of “Dreams are no accident.”
He also says this has been a wonderful lesson in patients and tolerance. Citing that when he wanted something he wanted it NOW! Since he’s traveling by foot, he has no choice but to be patient. In the past he admits he was very intolerant of those who were not like him. Staying with a new host every night he has had the opportunity to experience different cultures, teaching him a valuable lesson in humanity. Adding that out of 116 days he has only had to pitch his tent 29 times. “Not only is this the ultimate trip outside my own comfort zone, it’s also the perfect metaphor for any goal or even for life itself! More importantly, the beauty of the details—from an oddly shaped cloud, to a colorful worm crawling on a leaf—helps remind my impatient inner-child that the gold is in the journey, not the destination.” states Ray.
He will be visiting the White House on his journey with an intention of shaking President Obama’s hand. Many of the people who walked his first 10 miles with him will be flying to New York to walk the last 10
miles with him. A celebration is planned in Times Square on Oct. 10 when he completes his journey. He also added with a smile and twinkle in his eye that he would be flying home first class with champagne.
On day 117, he continued his journey. Leaving the people of Doniphan with the memory of a solitary seeker, who made them smile, laugh out loud and shed a few tears when the day was over, I personally was Blessed with 13 hours of inspiration from Ryan, the energy he exudes is beyond explanation. He left our town touching so many lives and hearts, truly a day we will never forget. And we will always remember his message, “You have to start seeking what you want, not what you don’t want, one step at a time.”
To learn more about Ryan Ray or to track him on his live GPS visit his website at www.ryanray.com , www.walk2ny.com or connect on FaceBook.
Kat Robinson is the owner of Active Kat Yoga in Doniphan, MO. She is a registered 200 hr. yoga instructor with the Yoga Alliance, a certified Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga
instructor and a member of the International Association of Yoga
Therapists. She believes that seva or selfless service is very important in
any community. In Doniphan she is a member of City Council where she
spearheaded the Let's Move program for the community, heads up the
Halloween and Christmas festivities and is a former Chamber of Commerce
Citizen of the Year.