A Glimmer
There is a small gravel path that branches off of the paved street my parents live on; until a few days ago I had never noticed it or thought to explore it. A harsh, gloomy rain had hit earlier in the day, and when it suddenly cleared and the sun came out around 5pm, I decided to finally explore the path.
As I walked I was stunned by the subtle, humble beauty of nature. It’d been so long since I’ve been in nature alone, and wandering through those unassuming woods while listening to Four Tet, I marveled at the sun that streaked between the trees, the creek, the leaves that grew translucent in the light, the wet mulch, the fresh damp air. I was suddenly aware of just how out of touch with life I’d become, being consumed by my own overthinking the past few years. As I wandered I was struck by the question…”What have I been doing with my one and only life?” My mind had narrowed and grown so convoluted that I’d completely lost sight of the hidden simplicity of reality. I observed the way nature does not overthink or plan or set goals or become attached to results or success…but bends, flows, wilts, and rises with the seasons.
As I took the path back to the house, I came out the other side in an unexpectedly unfamiliar location. It dawned on me that the exit I’d taken was in fact a path into another neighborhood…this new territory felt Inception-like; large, perfect-looking mansions with meticulously lined mailboxes and no human in sight. I strolled around in a dazed state, as if in a dream…reminded of the fact that a single happenstance turn can lead to completely and surprisingly different destinations.
The walk helped me understand why spiritual experiences can be so profound, how they can move one’s view of the world and “cure” mental illness without medication - with just a simple yet fundamental shift in perspective. It was a small glimpse of the possibility of living with ease…what pure, untouched, unplanned life is. It was a quick moment, a flash of an insight. I returned home with a sense of lightness in my chest. Sometimes, a glimpse is all you need.