Vision

A boy stands tall on a small rocky outcrop, high above a valley. It is morning and the foggy mist of the valley blows past his face, giving him an invigorating chill. He is proud. He is filled with awareness—connected to himself and the world in a new way. As the boy stands alone, he feels surrounded by familiarity—with himself, the sky, the trees, rocks, birds, wind, light. A deep breath. Silence. Slow movement. Peace. A realization emerges from within, not as a thought but as a knowing: Freedom. He knows freedom. He is freedom.

He is free of worry and fear, free of doubt and pity, free of constraints, free of thoughts and plans and ideas. He has stepped through his holdbacks, his shyness, his hesitation, his childhood. Now there is a connection to Earth, to spirit, to manhood. Through facing his fears, discovering his demons and fighting bravely, he feels strength and power, rising from extreme challenge and personal confrontation.

Now he kneels down and touches the rock. All the experience of the last week is behind him and life waits down there. His hand passes over the rock—rough, solid and ancient. Another breath. And another. Slowly and mindfully, he makes his way down

CONTINUE