posted June 09, 2011 11:09 PM            

I stand there with the crisp cool breeze leaving goose bumps on my arms; the wind gently whispering, in an unknown language, the truths of life. The foliage dying and withering as another year starts its decline into the depths of winter. Alone, there is a small puddle in a parking lot filled with cars and yet there is not another soul around. A black stain standing out against the dreary grey background of concrete. I think how funny it is that this small puddle draws my attention so entirely; sticking out to me like a nail protruding from a weathered wooden deck. I stand there for a moment trying to figure out why I am so enticed by this. As I begin to look away from this puddle, that intrigues me so, a leaf lands neatly into the center. It is nothing extraordinary, just a dead and dried brown leaf that has curled into a shape similar to that of a boat. Now there is a dried leaf floating on a small puddle in the middle of a parking lot with not a soul around but me. How random is this event? As I stand watching this insignificant leaf, gently changing direction with the whispering wind on this trivial puddle, each begins to develop their individual being in my mind. That puddle must have been so lonely by himself with no one to pay attention to him accept for the occasional traveler who got mad because he made their shoes wet. Poor puddle. That leaf must have been scared when he left his family and the security of the tree he knew his entire life. Poor leaf. All three of us alone yet together we find others to share with. I start to ponder the events that happened leading the three of us to our little meeting. How many small inconsequential events must have happened to bring us here? I could not even fathom the infinite possibilities of our circumstance. What strings must the universe have pulled to make this happen? So many it made my mind hurt. A sudden flash strikes my inner psyche and a chill rolls up my spine. I no longer feel the annoyance of trying to comprehend the depths, as the untapped energy in my body tells me that I am supposed to be here, doing this exact thing, at this exact time. I realize that there is no need to grasp at the depths of the events, just focus on the current situation. Not holding onto the question how, but asking why reveals the answer. I see how everything works together for the good even through seemingly bad events. The leaf had to leave his family and someone’s plans were ruined a few days before because it rained. I had to be feeling especially lonely and upset that day. Any other day that puddle never would have held my attention long enough to wait for the leaf. Everything had to come at such an exact moment so that I could see the big picture. The three of us such an unlikely trio and yet here we were pondering the reasons of the universe.

I’m continually amazed by this simple event that led to something that I have gathered so much knowledge from over the years since. One thing I have realized is how that moment was meant specifically for me. It had to be fate that I met those two that night. That one single moment made me question everything and has become one of the most inspirational things in my life. When I start to feel depressed or upset I remember this meeting of my mind with my destiny. It made me realize that every bad day we have is just a tiny ripple and is nothing compared to waves of life like these. What we take from the bad day ripple will help us endure the worst storms. The most important conclusion I came to is that we can learn from every experience, good or bad, and nothing is without meaning.

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Joe

posted June 10, 2011 02:59 AM            

Beautiful story.

posted June 10, 2011 04:28 AM            

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Joe

posted June 11, 2011 04:56 PM            

I've really liked reading this.

posted June 11, 2011 09:46 PM            

Thank you again for the kind words and I'll see if I can come up with anything else.

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Joe