The Space Between The Waves Podcast The Old Squirrel

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.

The Space Between The Waves Podcast Life is like a Broke Down Old Car

Meanwhile, sometimes life can feel like a broke-down old car… a constant reminder of all the things you can’t do. It won’t quite crank right, so you only take it halfway… or you push it off. The lights are dim, so you avoid the night… and the gas gauge doesn’t work, so you don’t trust it on long trips. Before long, you’re not really driving anywhere… just staying close to what feels safe. But here’s the thing, sometimes it’s not about what’s wrong with the car… it’s about how willing you are to work on it. You fix what you can and you learn its quirks. You take a few short drives… then a few longer ones. And little by little, confidence replaces hesitation. Because if you spend all your time focused on what’s broken… you’ll never go anywhere at all. We all have parts of our lives that don’t run perfectly, things that make us second guess, slow down, or play it safe. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. It just means there’s still some work to do… and some road left to travel. The most effective, lasting change happens when you focus on fixing yourself, your habits, your reactions, your choices. You can’t force others to heal, and trying to do so will wear you out. Respect those boundaries… and put that energy back into your own life. Remember, you don’t need a perfect ride to move forward. You just need the courage to turn the key, press the gas, and trust yourself enough to take that next mile. Because the road ahead isn’t waiting on perfection… it’s waiting on you. 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 The Old Squirrel

Meanwhile, I built a Tiki Bar many years ago in the shade of a hickory tree, so in the evenings it would offer a little relief from those long, hot summer days spent floating in the pool. That tree was much smaller twenty-some-odd years ago… and over time, I’ve watched it grow, just like I have. Late summer always tells its own story. You can feel fall coming—not by the calendar, but by the squirrels. The earlier they start gathering, the longer the winter tends to be. Not long ago, I was sitting at the Tiki Bar at the start of a new season. Everything was cleaned, set back in place, ready for another summer of memories… when a squirrel climbed up onto the banister right next to me. He had white whiskers, moved a little slower, and didn’t seem bothered by me at all. No rush, no fear… just sat there, taking it all in. He looked around the bar, then over at me… almost like he was saying, “Looks good… thanks for keeping this place going.” I smiled and said, “We’ve seen a lot of nuts come and go, haven’t we?” He turned his head, looking back out across that little slice of paradise… almost like he was saying, “Yeah… we sure have.” He doesn’t come around much anymore… leaving the climbing and collecting to the younger ones now. And I guess that’s how it goes. Time moves, seasons change, and before you know it, you’re not the one doing all the running anymore… you’re the one sitting back, appreciating what’s been built, what’s been weathered, and what’s still standing. So if you’re in the middle of building something… keep going. If you’re in the thick of the climb… stay with it. And if you’ve reached a point where you can sit back for a moment… take it in. Because one day, you’ll look around and realize… you didn’t just pass through life… you helped build something worth remembering. Remember… don’t rush the seasons. There’s value in the growing, the grinding, and even in the slowing down. 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 Don't Get Stuck in the Mud

Meanwhile, it’s easy to say rainbows and butterflies are everywhere and if you just trust yourself, everything will work out just fine. But we all know… that’s not always true. In fact, there are more frustrating days than easy ones. Life is complex, and expecting everything to always work out can make those inevitable tough days feel even heavier. It’s exhausting to pretend everything is perfect when it’s not. Acknowledging frustration, anger, or sadness is actually healthier than covering it up with forced optimism. You don’t have to be positive all the time… sometimes just getting through a hard day is a win. With that said, it’s not a good idea to live in the negative either. You’ve got to be careful driving through the mud… or you’ll get stuck in it. It’s about finding that middle ground… traction. You recognize the mud is there so you can navigate it, but you keep your eyes on where you want the wheels to go. If you spend all your energy fighting the rain, you forget to drive. But if you ignore the mud completely, you’ll end up needing a tow truck. Accept that you’re human and bound to make mistakes. Forgive yourself first, then make peace with those you may have wronged. Don’t worry about what you can’t control, focus on what you can. And above all, take ownership of your direction. Remember… don’t get stuck in the mud. The power to guide your life is in your hands. Make the choice today to steer in a direction that inspires you, empowers you, and excites you. 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 The F Bucket

Meanwhile, if you’ve ever been to one of The Tiki Bar New Year’s Eve parties, then you already know about the “F” Bucket. It’s something I came up with a long time ago for anyone looking to let go of something…or finally make a change. The idea is simple. You write down whatever it is that’s been weighing on you…a habit, a thought, a situation…fold it up, toss it in the bucket with a dollar, and walk away from it. That dollar? That’s your buy-in. Your way of saying, “I’m serious about this.” And here’s where it gets real. The next time that same problem shows up, you don’t entertain it. You don’t negotiate with it. You simply hold up your hand and say, “I’m sorry…that’s already in the ‘F’ Bucket,” and you move on. It sounds simple…maybe even a little funny…but it’s powerful if you actually follow through. The thing is, I’ve never really called it a New Year’s resolution. It’s not about waiting for some perfect moment on the calendar. It’s about dealing with something right here…right now. Because if you think about it, you don’t need New Year’s Eve to decide you’ve had enough. You don’t need a countdown or a celebration to make a change. You can put something in that “F” Bucket anytime you choose. We just don’t always give ourselves permission to do it. So maybe today’s the day you do. Remember, stop giving your energy to things you can’t control. And as always…go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated. 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.