Driving into a Vision

I had been working as a stable hand for a horse barn for 4 years. I knew the route to work very well and could probably drive it with my eyes closed at this point in time. I loved where I worked but I was beginning to feel tired of the physical end of the job and was not sure where to go next. I was learning how to listen to my body without knowing that was what I was doing. I could not go back to the veterinary world as it left me so depleted physically and mentally and I was afraid it would take away my compassion for the animals I so deeply love. And so, these thoughts were running through my head one morning on my way in.

It was early spring and there was still a lot of snow on the ground and bare trees. I turned onto the New Meadows Rd and my vision sorta drifted away from the road. Instead I saw bright, green trees, a dirt road and forest and meadows full of horses and cows and goats and sheep. The driveway was long but straight and as I drove slowly down it, admiring the stunning beauty of oak, pine, spruce and what looked like a willow tree, I saw the beginning of a house. The house was 2 or 3 stories high, had a wrap around porch and a large barn just to the side of it. Behind it was a field with a view of mountains, yet I could smell the ocean. The barn was large and had barn board style doors that led to many stalls and more animals. The dirt drive began to narrow a little and twist around the house and flow down to what looked to be a stream. I followed it and saw a wooden cabin and walking paths that led to yurts. Each yurt had lean to’s and areas for horses or larger animals to stay for extended periods of time. The stream was large enough to be a river. The land felt sacred and healing. The large cabin was an area of healing and in it was myself. I was guiding some women through a mediation and after we were to set out on a trail ride around the property to connect with our horses and become one with nature. There was a room for massage, a sauna and plenty of space for many healers to offer their gifts. The sign said, Welcome to Enchanted Woods. A sanctuary for you and your companions to heal and bond with nature.

I realized this space was what I wanted to build and create, what I wanted to give back, My future self looked at peace and ethereal. As I came back into reality I realized I had parked my car at the barn already and had been sitting a bit as I looked out and saw that some of the horses had already been taken out to their paddocks. I watched them for a few moments soaking in the feeling of what having this space would feel like, what it would mean. I got out of my car and put my muck boots on and went through my day dreaming about saving neglected and abandoned animals alongside neglected and abandoned people and how I could combine the two. The next day I signed up for massage school and began my journey.

I am not sure if this qualifies or not, but it was the first time my own body or guides forced me into a meditation (actually it might have been the first time I ever actually meditated) And having done it while driving, it was sorta scary when I “woke” up and realized I was already at work with no remembrance of driving down the road. But that imagery has stuck with me for the past 5 years and every choice I have made has been one to get me closer to that reality. I still cry a little thinking about just how happy I looked being able to provide a space for more than just humans, but a space for us to come together as one on this planet.

— Alecia C.