The terrain was off-limits. It was a wild space. Unwelcoming. Prohibited. A place where human visitors were not supposed to tread.
And yet there we were, two overly-curious young people ignoring a “do not enter” sign, overstepping boundaries and sneaking down a rugged length of gravel and soil in the backwoods of a Michigan Park. Out there in the hush-hush of nature, my friend and I squeezed our way through a crushing cluster of trees, teetered across a log that lay in the middle of a creek and awakened the adventure in our spirits.
In the midst of that sun-dappled forest, we were emboldened. My friend, Lare, and I entered a zone of chance and got a glimpse of one of our greatest human capacities:
The power of a made-up mind.
This power, also dubbed the power of focus, the power of intention and the unwavering power of yes, is evidenced when a desire is so strong it becomes magnetic. People, ideas, circumstances are drawn to you. Synchronicity happens. Conditions morph. Your wish is the universe’s command.
This is where the world feels like a jewel in your palm, and you become more than the acquiescent viewer of life. You are the director. The person who sets the scenes and forges ahead.
My whimsical outings with Lare are proof. After our park escapade, the beat went on. While enjoying lunch in my apartment overlooking the Detroit River, we started talking about the various ways philosophies of the East, with their emphasis on matter as an illusion, were a direct parallel with the scientific principles of the West. One point led to another, and we decided to conclude our afternoon with a trip to a local planetarium. Lare declared that he had a burning desire to visit the observatory and peer at the stars.
What happened next was fairly unbelievable. The facility was closed for a special event, but Lare and I — perhaps inspired by our recent foray onto forbidden grounds — actually scaled a ten-foot wall and slipped through a rear entrance. Once inside, the situation turned magical. We were welcomed into a gathering of science professionals who were engaging in an existential discussion.
The topic? The connection between Eastern Mysticism and Western Physics.
Stunned, we spent the next hour listening to scholars compare religious theories with scientific fact. At the end of their talk, Lare got his wish. One of the astronomers invited us to the observatory for a look into its advanced solar telescope.
No, I’m not promoting trespassing or encouraging people to be dismissive about rules. However, there’s something profound about listening to your heart and adhering to your vision — especially when a strong and clear inner voice is guiding you.
It’s been years since I’ve seen Lare and, these days, when I tour the great outdoors I stick with the designated routes. But whenever I feel the need to veer off the tracks of life, I reflect back on episodes of my youth and remind myself of some of my zany yet productive rendezvous. I recall the brief walk I once took across sizzling hot coals, my perilous African hitch-hike from Zambia to Malawi and a rigorous trek up a semi-active Guatemalan volcano.
These are the memories that fuel me, not the times I played it safe. These are the reflections that help me tap into my strength. They are the examples that opportunities often wear disguises and come with risks.
Like Lare, they remind me to embrace my passions and leave footprints in the lonely territories no one else has dared to explore.
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