The Space Between The Waves Podcast I Could've moments

The Space Between The Waves Podcast Strong Ships still Need a Lighthouses

Meanwhile, I catch a lot of grief from people who know me well because I rarely ask for help, and truthfully… they’re probably right. But it’s not always because I’m trying to be tough or because I think I can do everything alone. Most of the time, it’s because I already have the whole thing mapped out in my head, and honestly, I don’t have the time or patience to explain every little detail of what I’m trying to accomplish. Let’s just call it stubbornness mixed with determination. The funny thing is, people who carry the most often become the ones least likely to ask someone else to carry anything for them. Somewhere along the way, you get used to figuring things out yourself. You learn how to adapt, improvise, and keep moving forward even when things get heavy. After enough years of doing that, asking for help can almost feel unnatural, even when you probably should. But there’s also something important you learn over time… asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Sometimes it means you trust someone enough to let them stand beside you for a while. And if you’ve ever avoided asking for help because you were afraid it might make you look weak, you’re definitely not alone. Most strong people struggle with that more than they’ll ever admit. Remember, even the strongest ships still need a lighthouse now and then. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

The Space Between The Waves Podcast Exhausting Energy

Meanwhile, there are many things you learn the further you go in life. Repetition teaches you more than most people realize. What once seemed difficult eventually becomes routine, and one day you find yourself doing things you used to struggle with without even thinking about them anymore. More often than not, I’ve taken chances on people, ideas, and opportunities only to discover I wanted it more than they did. It’s exhausting pouring your energy, time, and heart into something, whether it’s a career, a creative pursuit, a friendship, or a relationship, only to realize you’re the only one carrying the weight. And while it stings realizing you cared more, fought harder, or believed in it longer than someone else did, there’s also something valuable hidden in that lesson. It says a lot about your character. It means you were willing to show up completely. Not everyone is built for the same struggles, the same sacrifices, or the same direction you may be headed, and honestly… that’s okay. What experience teaches you is who you can count on, who only talks about the journey, and who is actually willing to walk beside you when the road gets long. The further you go, the smaller the circle usually becomes, but the stronger it gets. And maybe that’s part of growing older… realizing your path doesn’t have to make sense to everyone else as long as it still makes sense to you. Remember, not everyone will understand your vision, your pace, or your purpose. Keep moving forward anyway. The people meant to be part of your journey will never make you carry it alone forever. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

The Space Between The Waves Podcast The Forgotten Plan A

Meanwhile, he was pulling a wagon loaded down with fishing poles of all colors, lures, a tackle box, and a cooler iced down with cold beer, headed out for another day on Pier 25. I followed behind him sipping on morning coffee, taking just another minute to soak it all in before I hit the road again. Standing there watching the waves slowly roll in, with the morning sun beginning to warm the air, he looked over and said, “You don’t look much like you dressed for fishing today.” “Not today,” I said, “but one day maybe I’ll join you.” He smiled a little and said, “I used to be you… always on the go, always headed somewhere I had to be. That was about 25 years ago. Now, I pretty much call this old pier home most days.” “Must be nice,” I said, “to retire and finally enjoy your time.” After a few quiet minutes passed, he looked out toward the water and said, “I think people spend so much time focusing on their Plan B that they stop giving everything they have to Plan A.” It’s true… sometimes you can get so caught up preparing for what could happen that you slowly forget what you originally set out to do in the first place. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in backup plans. I rarely buy just one of anything myself, because eventually you’ll probably need another one. Those are convenient Plan B’s. But when it comes to your life, your dreams, and the road you’re traveling… never lose sight of the original plan you set for yourself. Remember, plans may change, roads may twist, and storms may come through, but always remember where you started and why you started in the first place. And for the record… I still highly recommend buying two of everything. One day you just might need it. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

The Space Between The Waves Podcast I Could've moments

Meanwhile, I was sitting at The Old Beach Bar on Front Beach Rd in Panama City one day, watching the tourists go by. Flip-flops slapping the pavement… sunburns already setting in… arms full of beach chairs, coolers, and more plans than the day could ever hold. You could tell the first-timers from the ones who had been there before. The first-timers were in a hurry. Trying to do everything, see everything, capture everything… like if they didn’t, they might miss something. The others… they moved slower. They knew the tide would come in whether they rushed or not. They knew the sunset didn’t show up any earlier just because you stared at the horizon all day. They knew some of the best moments weren’t planned at all… they just happened somewhere between doing nothing and paying attention. I sat there for a while, watching it all play out… the rush, the pause, the laughter, the little frustrations. Most people don’t miss out because they don’t have enough time… They miss out because they never really settle into the moment they’re in. Always thinking about the next stop. The next plan. The next thing that’s supposed to be better than right now. But life doesn’t work that way. Some of the best conversations happen when you weren’t planning to talk. Some of the best memories come from the days you didn’t try so hard to make one. And some of the best parts of life… show up when you finally slow down enough to notice them. Remember, unless you're somewhere you don't want to be, enjoy the moment you are in before it turns into a wish I could've moment. Have a fantastic day… see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between the Waves podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

The Space Between The Waves Podcast It wasn't a bike anymore

Meanwhile, just across the street from the road I grew up on, down a long gravel dirt road, there was a junkyard. At the very end, you’d find piles of old wrecked cars… parts and pieces scattered everywhere… tires, wheels of all kinds… and off to the side, a big heap of broken bicycle parts. The old man who ran the place was always covered in grease, wearing the same worn-out coveralls that smelled like oil and hard work. I’d dig through that pile and start building something in my mind… An old frame that still had some life in it… a couple of wheels that fit… handlebars that weren’t too bent… and I’d drag it all off to the side. Then I’d go find him, usually somewhere in the back, cutting something apart with a blowtorch, and ask, “How much for these?” He never really gave me a price. He’d just tell me to go do something around the shop. Sweeping floors that would never be clean… moving piles from one place to another… doing whatever needed to be done. So I did it. And when I was done, those parts were mine. I’d take them home and spend hours sanding, painting, piecing it all together… getting the gears just right… buying new tubes with money from mowing yards… making sure the chain had just enough links to roll smooth. And I don’t think I’ve ever gotten more satisfaction than riding something that was once broken… forgotten… and left behind. Because it wasn’t just a bike anymore. It was something I saw value in… something I put time into… something I believed could be more than what it was. Not everything starts out shiny and new. Some of the best things in life are built from pieces that others overlooked. So if you feel a little worn down… a little pieced together… like you’ve been through a few things… Good. That just means you’ve got a story… and maybe even something stronger than you realize. Remember… it’s not where you started or what you were handed. It’s what you’re willing to build with it. Have a fantastic Friday… see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between the Waves podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.