There is a word engraved deep within my soul. It has a scent, a taste, a feeling, a life of its own. Perhaps it is the very thing that keeps myself and others alive, filled with hopes and dreams. It existed in a land before this time, which was not so long ago, and like many words in the dictionary, it will perhaps one day be removed or have its meaning replaced with something else.
This morning, I woke up as always, looking forward to that first sip of freshly brewed coffee. I had run out of my milk of choice, but before me stood a bottle of coconut milk. As I opened it, I knew deep down inside what was coming, but I proceeded anyway. The coconut aroma had my olfactory bulb instantly wake up from a deep slumber that flooded me with memories. With that first sip, I closed my eyes. I was back in a place I once roamed so freely. In my mind’s eye, I climbed up a mountain to the edge of the Laos border. Lucas walked by my side with Phoenix strapped to his chest. It was a rainy, misty day, and we watched as the Monks peacefully made their way back down the mountain through the fog. Like three degrees of separation, we were far from our own country, standing in another and looking over to another, a moment I can only describe as ironic and exciting. The endless horizons reminded me of how lucky we were to go on voyages like our ancestors did not so long ago and explore the roads less travelled. To breathe in the air and tantalize all five senses. I looked at my son, a tender 12 months old, and felt happy knowing that he would grow up in a world that he was free to explore and experience. My heart was content. Everything in the world was as it should be, and we were free.
In the land before this time, Opportunities were endless. We could be anything, do anything and go anywhere our hearts desired. Sadly, things changed in the blink of an eye. Beasts took over the land and controlled all humans under the guise of a deadly illness. The Humans only chance of freedom was to take a magic serum, that ironically did not cure nor stop the illness from spreading. The humans blindly took the serum and prayed that things would return to normal should they cooperate with the horrid beasts. The humans waited patiently for months for the beasts to release them back into the land before this time, but they did not. The beasts created a new illness worse than the last. To be free, humans needed to take more of the serum. They were also each given a device made from titanium, iron, and aluminum, designed to track and rewarded humans for good behaviour and for continuing to take the serum. Only those who had taken all doses of the magic serum were allowed to leave their homes.
The more magic serum the humans consumed, the sicker they became. Humans that refused to take the serum got punished. They soon realized that the beasts did not want to help them; they planned to get rid of them and have the land before this time all to themselves. The humans who took the magic serum could no longer escape the grasp of the beasts. Most humans died over time. Those who survived were forever under their spell…
“I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes. In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia. Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.”
— Charles A. Lindbergh
This morning over a coconut coffee, I was taken back to a land before this time. It is coming into spring now in Australia. I watch as the butterflies perch on freshly bloomed flowers, the birds fly free up through the sky, some tending to their nests. In the distance, I spot some kangaroos and wallabies jumping through the Australian bush. I smile because, like these animals, I am also free. I still live in the land before this time. I never left it. I am healthy, happy, filled with love. I have no fear. I refused to give my energy, time, or power to the beasts. I did not listen to them. I did not buy into their fear. Like all bullies, the beasts are only as strong as the power and energy we give them, so I turned my back, walked away, and went on with my life. If the beast follows, I walk the other way.
The land before this time, for now, is becoming smaller. To some, it may seem like the beasts will win, but I know they will not. I know they are scared, for I will never stop climbing that mountain through the fog. My freedom does not come at a cost; it is free, I am free, I roam wild, and let me tell you, dear friend, it is beautiful on the other side.
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Sending love as always.
