A Metaphysical Journey

Victor Frankenstein 3/8/2012

It is currently the middle of Spring Break and I am stuck on a relatively deserted campus. Having exhausted every bumming-out position in my bed and in the lounge where I live, I decided that I should venture out of my abode and explore the outside world for the first time in around three days. Over the course of two hours, I lost myself in nature and emerged a new man…

After wandering around in nature for around half an hour, I decided I might as well document my journey. I see the world reflected. I look into another dimension, but all I have to do is take one step forward to shatter everything I see.

Mother Nature asks the Lake: “Mirror Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” The Lake shows Mother Nature its answer. What a narcissist Mother Nature is.

Things aren’t so clear over here. What once was so vivid is now filled with ripples. I see my future extend far into the distance, but have no idea what lies at the end or beneath the surface.

I met Milton the Crane . He was gazing forlornly into the water, not recognizing the stranger staring back at him.

Milton sees another aimless wanderer.

Milton approaches with caution.

Milton gazes into the distance, uncertain of what the future has in store for him. He does not know where he is headed. Milton’s family died in a tragic accident and left him to wander this world alone.

Milton turns back to me. I can feel him staring into my soul. I feel him telling me: “You are not alone.” I gaze back at Milton and try to tell him the same.

Eugene arrives from out of nowhere.

Eugene makes Milton’s acquaintance.

Milton looks back into the water again, and this time, he recognizes his reflection. He realizes that he should stop worrying about things that have not yet come to pass. He resolves to not fear his future, and to not mourn his past. He will take things as they come and live life to the fullest. Milton realizes that life is not empty, and he is not alone. He thanks Eugene and me for pulling him out of the throws of despair.

I take leave of Milton and see the sun shining through the trees. The future looks bright for both of us.

I notice some beautiful flowers standing by themselves.

Just as I thought everything was bright and beautiful, I stumble upon “No Name Road”. I realize that what lies ahead may fundamentally challenge my identity and my existence. I question the truth of Romeo’s statement--"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.“ Romeo committed suicide. Clearly, a name holds a lot of meaning. What am I? A pre-med? A person?

I see my challenge in the distance. Like Luke Skywalker entering the cave on Dagobah, I must enter this abandoned forest. I seek the wisdom of the hidden bench. I hear the following exchange in my head:

"Brought you here, the galaxy has. Your path, clearly, this is.""You know what I'm looking for.""Something lost. A part of yourself, perhaps. That which you seek, inside, you will find."

I approach the bench with hesitant steps.

I arrive at the bench. I hear it calling to me. I must sit and see what is destined for me to see; I must see the part of myself I have lost.

Sitting on the bench, I see the sun through the trees. I realize that no matter how lost I feel, how out of place, how off-the-beaten-path, the sun always shines. Through the thicket of an uncertain future, light finds its way through. I realize that light must also find its way out of the thicket; I can never let the fire that burns within me wane.

A clear path lies before me. I am no longer a shadow of myself. I shall pass through a series of desolate greenhouses. I do not know what this means.

A ways later, I finally realize where I am. I emerged from the bench in the murky forest—where time seemed frozen and my surroundings seemed like a world apart from the one I left on the road—and eventually ended up on a familiar path.

I see the footsteps of someone who has tread this path before me; perhaps, unbeknownst to them, to guide me.

My feet have lead me to Shands. I realize that the path I have taken as a pre-med has not lead me astray. I am not lost. I can pursue a career in medicine and tread my own path at the same time; “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

Satisfied with my journey, I ended the day with a trip to Kebab House, and a serene walk home.

I arrive back to the same spot I left three hours earlier. A new man. A rekindled fire.

With a stomach full of great Chicken Tikka Boti, naan, and salad, I have ended another day of this seemingly never-ending Spring Break. Clearly, I have been devoid of human interaction for too long. I hope you enjoyed this mock-quasi-metaphysical journey. I enjoyed documenting it. Now I must face the most daunting question of all: what will I do tomorrow?