While walking a winding path through a dense dark forest, the hero of our story awoke…
…to discover he’d only been dreaming. No, he was actually climbing up a steep rocky mountain, the peak hidden in the clouds high above.
He then said to himself, “That forest dream came to tell me: life is a winding path.”
But in the next instant, he woke again. Now he found himself couped up in a bubble of steel and glass. His little one-man sub slowly descended through deeper and deeper shades of blue. Big fishes and small bumped their noses on the windows.
Our man then said to himself, “The second dream came to show me: life is more than a walk along a forest path. Life is also a steep climb up a mountainside toward a mystery destination.”
With that thought, he woke again. Now he found himself standing on a lonely road on a soggy foggy night. Suddenly a big truck rushed past, splashing cold water and mud all down his front.
Shocked awake, our man then found himself sitting in a dark classroom—a kid among kids.
“So what have you learned tonight?” an unseen teacher asked him. “Can you tell the class?”
Our explorer stood and surveyed the small shadowy faces looking up from the rows of desks. “I’ve learned that life is a walk on a winding path,” he told them. “And a steep mountain climb. And a deep dive down into the ocean.
“But alas, along the way, you must endure nights of soaking rain and sloppy mud. However…
“…now I know the rain and mud are part of my education. So perhaps I won’t howl so loud next time I get doused.”
With that thought, he awoke to find himself where he usually found himself at 6:00 a.m.: in bed with his clothes hanging in the closet, waiting for him.
After the grand events of the night, he felt like shucking off the coils of his workday. But solaced himself with this thought:
“No matter how tedious life might seem at times…
“…I’m always walking a path through a land unknown. And climbing to new heights. And exploring the dark depths. And standing strong in the rain.
“And learning—yes, no matter what I do, I’m always learning.”
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Michael Patton
Myth Steps (& peace mill) 