In Huntington, West Virginia I was asked to speak before a first year class at Marshall University. As I like talking, and especially about my self, I didn't mind doing so. A little nervous at first, the professor, and our host at the time, Brent Patterson helped me by asking some questions about our trip so far. Once we got started it took little effort to fill the hour explaining what drives Hannah and me to do what we do.
After we left Huntington, Brent asked his students to contemplate about our meeting and write something about it. See below the results as they were forwarded to us.
"I respect David so much because he is the type of man that is out there doing something that he loves and doesn’t care what others may think about him. Not only is he doing something that is a dream of his, but he also found someone to enjoy it with, and made friends along the way. I hope David and his girlfriend are successful on their journey and for the rest of their lives, doing what makes them happy."
"When he was asked why he was traveling so far he answered “To be happy, “That really interested me. I begin to wonder what the true definition of happy really was. After a long time of thinking, I decided that happiness is what you make out of something. It is choice rather than a condition. You can choose to make the best of what you have or you can choose to be unhappy. David and his wife were looking for happiness in a simple life away from cities and politics and to me that is absolutely fantastic. I admire them for having the guts to leave everything they have known to embark on an adventure with problems and obstacles around every turn."
" I have utmost respect for the both of them. Having no phone, little to no clothes and food, or steady place to live would be impossible for most people to experience. This is a story that will forever be engraved in my memory, as well as heart. What they are setting out to do takes courage, strength, and motivation.
After hearing their story I am not only touched but I also have a new outlook on things. His story not only makes me appreciate what I have, but also makes me realize how you can really do anything you set your mind to. David’s story is one of the most inspiring stories I have ever heard."
"A part of me is envious of him for having this opportunity and having the guts to do it. "
" It made me rethink how I spend my money and what I spend it on."
"When I first saw David, I thought that he was a cancer patient honestly. He was really skinny and I thought he was gonna talk to us about the disease but I was wrong."
"I really enjoyed hearing him speak, and it let me see there is a lot more possibilities in the world than what I thought. He literally makes the saying " you can do anything you set your mind to" true. If he can travel 2,000 miles on a bike, then I can do a lot more with my life than what I am doing now. "
"I do envy the fact the he really doesn't have a care in the world. You start off thinking "Wow, this guy is totally out of his mind!" to "Wow, I wish I could be this spontaneous and care-free". His story was very interesting and refreshing though, I've never heard of anyone doing something like this. It taught me if you're doing something you really want to do you can be really happy, regaurdless of materialistic things. This is something this class in general has taught me."
"David and his girlfriend are doing what they love (and a whole lot of it) to reach their goal. And because they're not worrying so much about money proves that they're only doing what makes them happy. I feel like that's something I need to do, too; to not worry about monetary issues and focus more on what makes me happy."
"David made me realize that there is other ways to be happy other than what society classifies as "happy". He made me realize that it's okay that I want to be a teacher and make a minimum salary as long as it makes me happy working with kids. Once again, thank you Mr. Patterson for this opportunity I really enjoyed."