Returning Home
The Hero's Journey and Ikigai
Sycamore Leaf by David marlow ©2022
It was as if a signal had been sent to let go…
The air was cold that day for my run, the temperature was near freezing. Frost covered the ground. As I took off, it was apparent the temperature wasn’t the only change from the day before on the trail.
It was as if a signal had been sent for the trees to let go of their leaves. Not the occasional leaf here and there. Entire Sycamore trees had released their giant leaves. The trail was covered in piles scattered here and there. I’d forgotten how big Sycamore leaves were.
The Walnut, Maple, and Birch trees all joined in, making the trail a bit slippery and challenging to run on.
Running in my boyhood home, I was determined to be present, not letting my mind wander. A friend of mine calls sit to falling awake.
Nothing like being cold to help focus. I’m not sure how much I fell awake though I was present, soaking in the experience. My mind didn’t wander…much. 😉
I noticed something after my run was complete. Without paying any attention to the time, I ran my fastest ever 10k, or so my watch informed me after the run.
Driving back from the trail, I passed the places of my childhood. The home I grew up in, the park I played in all summer, the spot my school stood, long since torn down and replaced by homes.
There was no melancholy seeing these; I must admit it was the first time home without some.
On this trip, there was a level of peace and acceptance of what was, not what could have been.
Even conversations with long-time friends (remember, I don’t have ‘old’ friends 😉) centered around the present.
They say that every hero’s journey requires leaving, giving something up, usually home. Mine certainly did. Though I planned to return, my journey never led me back.
That version of David never returned for good. As I reflect on this visit, I wonder if the person I am today finally did.
I walked my childhood city of Wisconsin Rapids viewing the exact same places and sensing the same things of my past about six years ago before my father passed away. He was gravely ill and we knew his departure to heaven was nearing.
I left for college at 18, never to return other than for short visits and holidays. That day as I walked for hours, clarity, memory and perspective converged. Gratitude, too, for the very things you describe here. Healing really, though I never realized it was needed and appreciated until that day. ‘Falling awake’ described it well! Thank you for the reminder.
Excellent insights and visual David and reflection! Yes the changing of the seasons here in the Northeast is spectacular too even if it is ~6 weeks or so of raking leaves ;) It does offer with the change of seasons a self-reflection opportunity unique in stark contracts unlike other areas like San Diego and along the West Coast that pretty much remain the same until you venture up north. The main question is have we evolved into the person we are meant to be and expected and if not what do we do to adjust....? Semper ad maiora! Always to greater things!