In the midst of life’s mundane moments, an unexpected encounter unfolded at a Five Guys in Gainesville, VA, forever altering the landscape of self-perception and love. His words, gentle yet profound, echoed in the air, “You are in a love desert. You have so much love to give and nowhere to put it.” A declaration that stirred the soul and left me pondering.
The stranger, a messenger of love, continued to peer deep into my soul (without my permission, I may add). “You don’t understand your value. You see yourself very low when in reality you are so much more…” A cosmic connection in the most unlikely of places—my haven for burgers, and perhaps, serendipitous revelations.
Who was this mysterious sage? A question that lingered, as I grappled with the possibility that this encounter transcended the ordinary. Was he a prophet, an emissary of love, or just a passerby with an extraordinary gift for seeing the unseen?
In retrospect, it prompts contemplation:
How well do any of us truly know our value? Is there an untapped reservoir of love waiting to be discovered, an intimate love beyond familial and friendly bonds?
The stranger’s revelations didn’t end with the personal; they ventured into the realm of purpose. “You are called to be a leader,” he asserted, not in the corporate corridors but in something more impactful. A revelation that sent ripples through the fabric of my understanding.
Yet, there’s a vulnerability in leadership, a hesitancy to embrace the responsibility. “Who am I to lead, and why would anyone want to follow me?” Questions that echoed, challenging the comfort of being led.
“Lean into it. Own it.” The stranger’s parting words, a call to confront the fear and uncertainty, resonated like a gentle breeze carrying a promise of transformation. A moment that would remain etched in memory, forever encapsulated in time.
A decade has passed since that encounter, a decade marked by evasion and self-discovery.
Instead of leaning into it and owning it, I ran from it like my name was Forrest Gump. Now, after running in the opposite direction, fatigue sets in. The marathon of avoidance nears its end, and a decision emerges—I’m tired of running.
Embracing the challenge, I acknowledge the prophecy. Here it is, a commitment to love myself and understand the depths of my being. Not for the world, but for the one who deserves love the most—me. A journey inward, a journey of self-love, with the assurance that the rest will follow.
In this unfolding chapter, the stranger’s words become a guiding light, steering me toward a profound realization—love begins within. The love desert transforms into an oasis, and I, the pilgrim, embark on a heartfelt journey of acceptance and self-love. I am “mi amor.”
