What I Learned From Chatting On A Bench With A Stranger

I woke up one morning with a strong urge in my body to go outside. I started my day off getting groceries from Trader Joe’s and was ready to go back home. The forces around me said, “not today!” The calling was strong to continue my journey walking around the park. I tried to follow the routine of putting my headphones in, blasting my music in my ears, and ignoring nature’s sounds and feels all around me, but my Airpods kept beeping like something wanted me to take them out. I put them back in the case and started slowly walking the trail.

Feeling the chill of the morning breeze sweep around my soul, seeing kids drawing with chalk, hopscotching to their own little beat. I looked over and witnessed a man standing by the lake staring into the sky like he just appreciated life. Being grounded in nature was something I hadn’t done since I was a child, and I forgot how much I missed it.

I was in complete awe, and the sounds of the birds singing were soothing my burdens. Tapping into my inner child, I started talking to the trees, grabbing feathers from the grass, and smelling the succulent essence of the sunflowers. In the sky, the birds were swarming around me like they were protecting me and guiding me along this path.

I was almost back to my car when something told me to sit down on the bench and continue to soak in the ambiance that Mother Nature provides. As I am getting ready to scroll through my Tik Tok FYP, a handsome young fellow walks over and asks if he can share the bench with me to read. Since the pandemic hit, staying in the house most of the time turned me into an anti-social isolated introvert.

I almost grabbed my belongings and sprinted out of there. Again, something told me to chill and enjoy the moment. Normally I would shy away from talking to a random stranger, but I felt a shift of confidence and felt like changing the game by tapping into my inner Forrest Gump.

Not wanting things to be awkward, I started the conversation by asking him what book he was reading. He said “The Way Of The Superior Man by David Deida” and explained how the book has helped him grow. Not only did we talk about this book, but we talked for hours in full detail about our lives. The fact that he was interested in books and could hold an intellectual conversation made me look at him with my eyes bulged. You can probably tell that I was instantly smitten.

I talked to this stranger about life, creation, affirmations, relationships, and business. We both had “ah-ha” moments from teaching inspirational facts about one another from past lessons we both learned. It seemed like we had known each other before. Past-life friends, maybe? There was no anxiety, no discomfort, no judgment, just a comfortable, honest conversation.

The sun was beaming on our necks as we turned more towards one another, engaging heavily in the conversation. The butterflies were fluttering around the bench, and the ducks were “quacking” away. A spider happened to fall on his leg, and he placed it gently back on the ground. There were so many signs of symbolism and synchronicities all around us.

Was bumping into this stranger fate, was he divinely guided to me, or was this written in the stars? I feel like a higher power definitely placed us at the right place at the right time. He was a part of my soul tribe, and it felt good to meet someone I connected with so deeply.

Five hours later, we decided to part ways. We both didn’t want to leave, but the time had come. My groceries were still in the trunk, unthawing, but I didn’t care. I was walking back to my car, smiling from ear to ear.

I understand why I received a signal to take out my headphones and take in the blessings planted right before me. I could have quickly taken for granted the small things presented along my walking path. Even if it just lasted for a small moment, the conversation changed my perspective of life eternally. That moment and that day will stay in my memory bank, and I will cherish it forever.

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