Living a Dream

I've done it again. I signed up to ride my bike and tour this beautiful country. This time for different reasons than the last. When I first signed up for the Northern Tier, I did it in order to help people. I wanted to give back and do good things in the world. I felt the world was lacking optimism and hope. Recently, I feel like I have been lacking that. I'm living alone in NJ, working long hours, and don't have the same lifestyle I grew accustomed to in college. It's been a tough transition with the job taking a lot of attention and then my tonsils growing to the size of golf balls. I struggled to make friends, eat, sleep, and everything else that was important to me during the move. I need something to finally go right for me and I have decided 2016 will be the year of living my own dreams. The following are my goals for 2016 (and the rest of my life for that matter).
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Live Minimally and Make the World a Better Place.

There are few things I really admire in the world and I wrote myself a letter freshman year of college to make sure I didn't forget these things. On my birthday in 2015, I received this letter and it hit me harder than I imagined. I wanted to help the Earth. Maybe not in the "chase down every bit of little litter" kind of way, but in the support of sustainability. I love riding my bike more than I enjoy driving my car (especially driving in NJ) and I think the week I am taking off work to ride my bike is a good way to show how to it's possible to travel minimally. Hopefully, with a new bike, I will also have something that is better equipped to take me to and from work on the average day..
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Build Friendships and Find a Home

Other things this trip helps me with is to make friends and build stronger friendships. Often times, I'm trying to hold onto friendships that are in the past or letting go of friendships that are important to me. This bike trip is a part of both new and old friendships. Getting to ride with my friends Alex and Kaylyn will be wonderful, but making new friends is also important in my life. Life isn't a journey we ever go at alone. This goes for all aspects of the ride. From Bike the US for MS staff to route leaders to riders to donators and employers of riders and even friends and family, we all work as a unit. As someone still adapting to a lifestyle change, any system I fit well into is one that I plan to join.
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Smile.
This is the first item in my bucket list. The world is not about who makes more money or who is more attractive. I want to live my life based on what I am happy doing and what will make me smile. People often times tell me that I'm "too happy" or "too outgoing". To me, I don't see why I shouldn't be. If you aren't happy with where you're at, what you're doing, or who you're with, you need to change it. Yes, it's hard to change. Yes, there might be rough times before you smile. There is just no reason why you shouldn't always strive to have a smile on your face. If I every have a choice between something and happiness, I am going to choose to be happy this year. The bike trip is just a part of that mission..


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As there is obviously more posts to come when I get my new bike or get more information on people I'm riding with, I will continue to post here. I do need to post a link to my cyclist page. Many of you might have donated last year or even if you're familiar with technology. It's pretty easy to donate. Click the link below, go to the page, click the donate button, insert your information. I understand if you wish to remain anonymous, but I want to thank you all personally for helping me make my 2016 dreams a success. If you wish to just shoot me an email or wish me good luck, please send them to zacharywasielewski@yahoo.com

Cyclist page: http://biketheusforms.org/cyclists/detail.asp?cid=879