Never alone

 One afternoon, while preparing to hike while on her vacation to Costa Rica, Jessica noticed an elderly man sitting on a solitary bench, quietly watching the trees sway in the breeze. His expression was peaceful, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes. Jessica, usually in a rush, slowed her pace and made eye contact. Instead of just walking by, she smiled and nodded.


The old man returned the smile, a flicker of warmth crossing his face. He began to speak softly, sharing that he'd lost his wife of fifty years just a month earlier and hadn’t had anyone to talk to since. Jessica listened, genuinely present, her attention focused on him — not just his words, but the weight of his grief.


In that moment, Jessica felt a deep sense of interconnectedness. She realized that the simple act of slowing down, of being aware of her surroundings, had allowed her to see beyond her own busy life and connect with another person. It wasn’t just the man who needed to be heard; in listening, she too was reminded of the beauty of shared human experience. As they parted ways, Jessica felt a subtle shift within herself — an awareness that every interaction, no matter how brief, was a thread that connected life.


As she set off  on her trek across the Costa Rican mountainside she observed the towering mountain peaks and noted the lakes left by the rains, everything was working together as one. Jessica smiled as she remembered the joy in the old man’s heart for the chance to communicate freely. Her awareness had not only given him comfort but had also expanded her own understanding of connection — one simple, mindful moment at a time. 


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