Awakened Ave

Goodbye to Hurt
Poem Witten by
Howard Rizio in 1987

I found this recently in a box of old documents and photos.

I vaguely remember writing it back in 1987, but reading it now gives me a glimpse into how I was experiencing life at that time.

What stands out to me is the title:
Goodbye to Hurt.

At 15 or 16, I didn’t yet have the language for things like despair or existential exhaustion. But this poem isn’t saying goodbye to people, goodbye to the world, or goodbye to existence.

Just goodbye to hurt.

I don’t believe I wanted to escape life. I just didn’t want it to hurt so much, and I simply longed to be seen. I unknowingly carried that hollow feeling for years, hidden behind a mask of fear that often showed up as pride.

I’m sharing this now because I have the capacity to do so today. I clearly didn’t back then, or it wouldn’t have been hidden away for so long.

I’m not stronger than I used to be, nor am I more awake or more comfortable. What I am is less guarded and less afraid. Any growth someone might want to attribute to me hasn’t been about becoming better — it’s been about hiding less. A lot has been added to my experience of life, but that addition didn’t come through growth. It came through shrinking. Through subtraction.

I haven’t gained anything. I’ve let go of what no longer served me — or more accurately, what no longer served me was stripped away, often painfully. I can acknowledge that pain today without trying to turn it into something else.

I share this because I’m no longer afraid to sit with the darker parts of life, and I share it so others might feel a little less afraid too — especially of being judged.

I’m still human, and like everyone else, I still experience hurt. I just don’t fight it the way I used to. I don’t try to get rid of it or reshape it. I let it be there, and eventually, it moves on.

Peace & Love,

Howard “Wingit” Rizio

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1 week ago | [YT] | 4

Awakened Ave

The very first Podcast I did before as I was just beginning this channel - and before I ever even thought of hiking the Appalachia Trail. Even before I started my Homeless by Choice - Full-time tent living adventure.

This was right after the loss of one of my recovery sponsees/friend to an overdose.

This is a first. I would love to hear people’s comments and reactions.

To those who have been following me - THANK YOU for the love and support; you are my people. If you have been following me from the beginning - that is absolutely amazing, I am forever humbled and would love to hear from you so please comment letting me know.

https://youtu.be/sOuBEvbRP_4

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Awakened Ave

New Year Resolutions.

Have you ever noticed how much energy goes into planning who we’re going to become next?

A new year with new rules to become a new YOU.

And somehow… nothing really changes, except the pressure to be better.

Resolutions feel like quiet negotiations with fear.

“I want to be better” often implies “I’m not enough yet.”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t want to be the very best we can possibly be, of course we should. I’m saying that there’s something oddly steady about staying the course.

Waking up and pointing the feet the same direction, and just walking with life is not stubbornness and it’s not giving up.

It is merely recognizing what’s already here, and not trading it for the illusion of control, a better future, or a better version of you waiting somewhere.

So I’ll stick to my strengths and keep winging it, not because it’s the best path, but because it’s the one unfolding, moment to moment.

I don’t want to trade this moment for the idea that there is a better one somewhere ahead.

I will continue to adjust and cooperate
with whatever life throws at me, without the enormous pressure of needing to improve it.

What is your New Year Resolution?

Peace & Love,
Wingit

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

Awakened Ave

Merry Christmas,

Today I’m not thinking about gifts, resolutions, or the idea that this day is supposed to feel a certain way.

For some, Christmas is full of warmth, family, laughter, and familiarity. For others, it’s heavy, quiet, lonely, or complicated. And for many, it’s both at the same time.

I don’t think peace comes from everything being right. I think it comes from letting the day be exactly what it is, without trying to fix it, perform it, or escape it.

If today is joyful, let it be joyful. If today hurts, let it hurt. If today feels ordinary, let it be ordinary.

There’s nothing wrong with you for how this day lands.

Wishing you presence over pressure, honesty over appearances, and a little gentleness with yourself—wherever you are, and however today meets you.

Merry Christmas 🤍

Peace & Love,


Wingit

1 month ago | [YT] | 9

Awakened Ave

This is a podcast I recently did for Hiker Sessions with my friend Sloggy.

If you’re interested in the Appalachian Trail or long distance hiking in anyway, Subscribe to his channel has he talks with hikers every week.

Also, let me know your thoughts. Thank you to all of you. I hope you enjoy.

Peace & Love,


Wingit

3 months ago | [YT] | 3

Awakened Ave

Today I picked up my vehicle after being broken down for an entire month — Oct 10th to Nov 10th — and it’s only because of the kindness and generosity so many of you showed me.

As a Marine veteran, the timing hits even harder: today is the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, with Veterans Day tomorrow. The symbolism isn’t lost on me. The freedoms we enjoy exist because people show up for one another — and this past month, you showed up for me.

Family, friends, and even strangers reached out, donated, encouraged me, and reminded me again that people are deeply good.

So I not only get to celebrate a USMC birthday today, and remember all those who served and sacrificed tomorrow - I also can fully reflect on exactly what those scarifies have blessed me with.

I am humbled by every act of kindness that made it possible for me to enjoy the freedoms I do today. This includes Military Personnel past & present, Veterans, their spouses and families, my own family, loved ones, friends, and even complete strangers. Each of you has played a part in filling my heart with gratitude.

Thank you, sincerely. Life on trail and off has always been about the people, and this experience reaffirmed that beautifully. ❤️🙏

I love and appreciate LIFE so much.

Howard Rizio
Wingit

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3 months ago | [YT] | 18

Awakened Ave

This is difficult for me to share — which is exactly why I believe I should share it.

I just completed spending seven months (30,000 miles) demonstrating my love for service to others by living out of my Suburban along the Appalachian Trail. I followed this year’s class of thru hikers from Georgia to Maine, using my own resources to shuttle hikers for free, offering trail magic, and giving away my own personal gear to those in need.

Upon returning home, still living out of my Suburban — a series of problems began to pile up. Problems that I am currently not in a position to rectify.

AlMy dog, St. Cloud requires surgery on both of his eyes for a condition known as Entropion, which limits his vision and causes a recurring infection in his eyes. The cost of the surgery is $2500.

Then, after driving from Florida to Abingdon, Virginia, to attend the Appalachian Long Distance Hiker Association (ALDHA) Gathering, the transmission in my Suburban went out - the garage indicated it requires a new transmission and the cost of a new transmission is between $7

I don’t know what comes next. I currently don’t have the resources to address my dog or my vehicle. Maybe I leave my truck here until I can afford to get it repaired or maybe I risk driving it back to Florida in its current condition and risk getting stranded along the way. I honestly don’t know.

My instinct is to stay silent. To handle it alone. To not burden others. But is my silence just pride, and is that pride really just fear. Fear of being seen, of asking for help, of being judged?

So, I open myself now — not expecting anything in return — but to face what I fear most: judgement from others. If I truly believe in collective achievement, then I have to live it — at the very least, not just as someone who gives to the collective, but as someone who can also receive. Spiritual growth demands the death of ego. And the price of spiritual growth is always the same — humility.

So this is my act of humility.

If you are in a position to assist me a this time, I will accept it. If what comes to me is more than I need, those of you who know me also know that it will be passed on to those in greater need than I.

Support the Journey:
💙 Venmo: @Howard-Rizio
💚 Cash App: $HowardRizio
💛 PayPal: @HowardRizio

My GoFundMe account for these specific issues is also below. Thank you all for the support over the last two plus years, I have some very exciting things in the works, that I hope to announce soon.

Peace and Love

Wingit

gofund.me/3e86f4092

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4 months ago | [YT] | 4

Awakened Ave

I got to spend the day hanging out with Legends at the Rangeley Town and Trail Festival in Rangely, Maine. Past and Present thru hikers enjoying each other’s company. Great way to spend the day.

Wingit

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5 months ago | [YT] | 18

Awakened Ave

Impromptu Interview with Johnny Dollar outside the New Jersey Mohican Outdoor Center along the Appalachian Trail.

Original Facebook post from Johnny Dollar:

He shuttles hikers, hauls their packs so they can slack-pack, and asks for nothing in return. A true trail angel in my eyes — even though he humbly refuses the title.
It you want to see what real trail magic looks like, check out his YouTube channel: Awakened Ave.

His journey is just as inspiring off the trail as it was on it.

https://youtu.be/gFPnA8zHMzM?si=ZOklq...

7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Awakened Ave

You can ABSOLUTELY change your life.

Before I was living in a tent full-time (by choice), Before the Appalachian Trail…
And Before my current adventure Real Suburban Living along the Appalachian Trail…

In April of 2022, I sat down with my good friend John Corapi on the TGI Now Podcast and we had a real one.

This is that story of Howard “Howie” Rizio — aka The Griz - (Trail Name “Wingit”). We go way back. Childhood friend turned Marine, then narcotics detective to crushing it in real estate…

Then it all came crashing down.

Addicted.
Living in a trailer with 4 others.
Selling drugs.
Arrested.
Convicted.

But that’s not where the story ends.

Howie came full circle. Today, he speaks at drug rehabs and shares his story to help others. I relate 100%.

Catch the episode today at 4:20 PM on the TGI Now Podcast with me (Eddie “Dawg”), my cohost John (the smart one), and Rondell “Uncle Dell.”
Yeah man. Much love. Enjoy the rest of your Friday and we hope you tune in.

Listen here:
anchor.fm/tginow
anchor.fm/tginow/episodes/A-story-of-Salvation-wit…

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10 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 10