A candle smelling like a Mr. Goodbar burns in the window. Another one with the fragrance of Tennessee pines holds a flame as well. This reminds him of his childhood in the South. Cool autumn mornings walking through the woods. Deer and squirrels crossed his path. Candy wrappers mixed in with fallen brown needles. A stream flowed in the distance.

It was in the forest where he questioned God. A superior being creating all of mankind; the good and the bad. Those that would help and those that would hinder. People who caused wars and folks who fought against injustice. These thoughts would be left behind in being a man. Mortgages , life insurance, car payments, medical bills, student loans would take over his train of thought. He left philosophy behind years ago. The questioning of God. The purpose of man.

These wicks burned as he sat there in his home. An old man now. His life spent on a marriage, kids, family. He has regrets.

Why didn’t he go to Tibet? Travel to India? Take a journey? And then he thought, Maybe I did. Perhaps my time amongst nature was my spiritual trip.

It’s funny how we always return to childhood. Candles burning. Alone and at peace with ourselves. The constant questioning of God. And then the acceptance of a greater power. That is when the journey begins.