As they gathered in the damp parking lot at the trailhead leading to Mirror Lake, Michelle began to notice the tone of uncertainty trickling throughout the group. One by one, the women’s eyes shot into the dark shadows of the trail before them. The scraggly limbs of the giant pine trees hanging overhead only enhanced their fears that something bad was about to happen. They all liked the idea of a spontaneous adventure, but hiking at night?
“This is crazy. What if someone gets hurt?” Lisa said.
“What if we get lost?” Lei Kim muttered.
“What kind of animals they got up here?” Kanisha added.
Michelle quickly reassured her that there were very few bears in the area.
“Very few?” Kanisha said as as her eyes grew wide.
“Bears? Nobody said anything about any bears!” Francie said, standing up from tying her shoes. She was dressed in a black workout suit with silver trim and her shoes were fresh out of the box.
Lisa handed out the three flashlights she’d brought from the bookstore.
“Where’s mine?” Francie quickly asked.
“We only had three,” Lisa replied.
“Three flashlights will be more than enough. Trust me, your eyes will adjust and you won’t want a flashlight,” Michelle said, closing up her car.
“No, I want a flashlight,” Francie said.
Michelle saw that Francie was serious. She wanted a flashlight. “Okay, Francie. We’ll take turns as we move up the trail. Will that work?” Michelle replied, but Francie was like a child. She wanted a flashlight all to herself. She stood with her arms folded.
Either I get a flashlight or it’s time for me to go home,” Francie said.
Kanisha extended her flashlight toward Francie. The older woman didn’t like Kanisha, and the kind gesture only seemed to annoy her, but she took the flashlight anyway.
The smell of the damp soil wafted upward as their feet hit the trail and the adventure began. Walking without a flashlight, Michelle took the lead. She turned and smiled. She knew getting them this far was an accomplishment in itself, but bigger hurdles lay ahead.
To keep their minds occupied so they wouldn’t think about turning back, Michelle told them the story of the great Colorado explorer Sir Walter Kennington. While he was famous for his expeditions and photographs of the Colorado Rockies, the discovery of Mirror Lake was legendary by the mere nature of the discovery. While following a mountain lion and her cubs for National Geographic magazine, Kennington got turned around and became lost in the wilderness for five long days. It would turn out to be his finest hour.
Disoriented and on the verge of severe exposure, Kennington stumbled upon Mirror Lake simply by accident. Mirror Lake became one of his greatest discoveries, and although the governor of Colorado at the time suggested the lake be named after him, Kennington explained the discovery was not about him but about the majestic beauty of the Rockies. To this day, however, nobody could talk about Mirror Lake without telling the story of the great explorer of the Rockies who got lost.
Coming up the last section of the now well-traveled rocky trail, the women were tired and walking in silence. Kanisha’s left heel had a blister forming, Francie was out of breath from the elevation gain of the hike, and both Lei Kim and Lisa were dragging behind, ready to turn back whenever anyone suggested this was far enough. Suddenly the women stopped in unison. They heard something… something in the distance.
“What is that?” Francie asked with hushed concern.
“It’s nothing. Come on, we’re almost there,” Michelle said, continuing up the trail without fear.
“Almost where?” Lisa said, struggling to keep up, but Michelle didn’t answer. As Michelle began to disappear in the darkness before them, the women looked at each other for guidance. There was none. So, with no other choice, they pressed on.
The low rumble grew even louder. “What could it be?” Lei Kim asked herself as she tried to catch up with Michelle, but something was wrong. She suddenly grew dizzy. “It’s nothing, keep going,” Lei Kim coached herself, but she stumbled and fell to her knees.
“Michelle,” Francie called out.
Michelle turned around and saw Lei Kim on the ground. The others rushed to her side.
“I’m okay. I’m okay,” Lei Kim assured them. “Just got a bit dizzy there for a second.”
“You sure?” Michelle asked, concerned.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Have a drink of water,” Lisa said, pulling out the water bottle.
“Thank you,” Lei Kim replied, and took a swig. “Really, I’m okay.”
“We can go back if you aren’t,” Michelle said, but Lei Kim stood up on her own.
“Really, guys. I’m fine,” Lei Kim replied, so the group continued. Michelle kept a close eye on Lei Kim, who she thought looked pale, but Lei Kim smiled back at Michelle and even picked up the pace a bit.
As they came around the last of what seemed like a million switchbacks, they were treated to an amazing view of a waterfall, aptly named Kennington Falls. The full moon glinted off the water as it crested the top of the eighty-five-foot waterfall. Tumbling like a ribbon in the sky, the water landed on the jagged rocks below. This was the same stream Sir Walter Kennington had followed down to safety into the small Colorado mining camp of Idyllwild. Michelle explained to the group that this was one of the last times the falls would be visible until spring. Winter was on its way and the entire area would soon be covered in six feet of snow. There was a moment of silent appreciation.
“Great. Can we go home now?” Lisa finally asked.
“Not yet. We’re almost there,” Michelle replied without breaking stride. “Just around the next switchback, I promise you.”
Cresting the trail, the group quickly fell silent, for before them stood Mirror Lake.
“Turn off the flashlights,” Michelle ordered. One by one, the beams of light winked off. Their eyes quickly adjusted, and with the full moon, they could see the entire lake and the massive mountain range behind it. The night air was crisp and the smell of pine trees was strong.
“Now, imagine being lost in the wild for five days and then discovering this. What a gift.” Michelle looked around at the immense beauty surrounding them. The moonlight shimmered across the still lake, and one could understand why Kennington had named this discovery Mirror Lake. It was a mirror for all the beauty that surrounded it. Michelle was right. It was a gift, and the women looked in every direction, taking it in. It was a magical moment, a spiritual awakening of sorts. Even Lisa was silent, and that was a miracle in itself, Michelle thought.
Gathering the women in a clearing, Michelle convinced everyone to find a place to sit down. Kanisha found a fallen tree. Lisa sat directly on the ground. Lei Kim joined her. Francie looked unsure what to do but, with a few swipes of her hand to clear away the dirt, she finally perched on a large rock as Michelle finished the tale of Sir Walter Kennington: “Sometimes in life, you need to get lost to find your way.” The women just sat there and absorbed the profound thought. Michelle then directed their attention to the lights of the town in the valley below.
“Kind of gives you a sense of perspective as to what’s important, doesn’t it? All those lives going on down there, rushing about, fighting with each other, falling in love, falling out of love… And it’s all up to us. We get to choose how we want to live. Which is the reason I brought you up here. Have you considered what you want?”
“I have a clear idea of what I want,” Lisa cracked.
“Lisa, please. I’m serious. When was the last time you stopped reacting to life and actually asked yourself the question ‘What do I want?’” The group didn’t respond. They all remained silent until Michelle continued. “It’s something to think about. Life is about claiming the thoughts in your mind. If you don’t choose these thoughts directly by asking yourself questions like this, uncertainty will rule. That brings about frustration and anger because at the end of the day, you know you should’ve chosen a direction. So, if you would, I’d like everyone to close their eyes.”
“Close our eyes? What are you talking about? Look at that moon. Turn around, look at that lake,” Lisa said to Michelle. “You want me to close my eyes and miss all this?”
“Yes. But you’re not missing anything. What I want you to do is to look for that kind of beauty on the inside. I want you to stop worrying about money. Don’t think about your to-do lists or how you’re going to get out of debt. We can think about all that stuff later. Right now, I want us to look for… well… for whatever shows up.”
“You’re serious?” Lisa asked.
“What am I looking for again?” Kanisha asked, opening her eyes.
“That’s the thing. You’re not looking for anything. When you’re busy looking for something, you’re missing the point. Clear your mind so you can receive the message from your soul and stop worrying about your problems. Problems are good. They make you stronger, wiser, and more courageous. See yourself fully funded in all of your endeavors by imagining a life where all your dreams are accomplished. What does that feel like? What does it look like? Have you thought about it lately? Don’t you think it’s time you started living the life you dream about? Why not begin right now? I want you to transport yourself virtually, because you are explorers of the undiscovered territories in your mind. This virtualization process helps you clear out the chaos in your mind and learn how to accept greater things, things you thought were reserved for other people. Well, guess what, ladies? You are other people, and it’s time you start getting what you want from life. And listen up, because this is the most important part of this virtualization process: do not think about how you’ll achieve the things you see. Thoughts like that are just your ego adding more chaos in your mind. Your recipe for your new life is free of any mental activity that keeps you from knowing that all your needs are met right now. So virtually transport yourself to the end result and leave the beginning alone. Trust that if you can see it, you can achieve it.”
And so it began. A peaceful silence engulfed the women like a warm blanket. Looking around, Michelle noticed her surroundings one more time before she closed her eyes and joined the women in this now sacred moment. As her eyes shut, the sounds of the distant waterfall grew louder. She could still hear the lake lapping lightly against its narrow shoreline. She took a deep breath and could smell the moisture of the pristine lake water drifting toward her as a slight breeze gently kissed her skin.
Several minutes passed in silence. Then Michelle began to take them on a journey into the future. “Imagine the lifestyle of your dreams. How good could it be? That kind of lifestyle is awaiting you, right now.” She paused to let this thought sink in. “Where do you live your ideal lifestyle? What kind of home do you live in? Walk up to the front door of your dream home and open the door. Walk inside and notice what kind of life you dream of creating for yourself and those you love. What kind of people do you see yourself sharing this dream life with? Notice the abundance surrounding you. Spend a few minutes wandering through your dream home. I want you to experience everything in all five senses. What do you taste, smell, feel, hear, and see inside your new home? Remember, this is the reward you’ve earned for actively following your dreams.”
Several minutes passed before Francie began to fidget. Struggling with the sounds of night going on around her, Francie finally opened her eyes when she heard an owl hooting. Her gaze quickly shot up to the tree above, and she spotted the giant bird. Its head swiveled toward her, its eyes reflecting the moonlight. Wanting to call attention to the creature, she discovered that everyone’s eyes were still shut, including Michelle’s. Hadn’t they heard the sound too? But evidently they hadn’t. It was as if this majestic creature was there, on that branch above, just for her to see. Was this owl trying to tell her something? She began to smile. For here, directly above her, was one of the grandest animals in the kingdom, sharing this moment with her.
A rustling sound suddenly came from somewhere behind her. She jerked her head in reaction. Was it a bear moving in for the kill? A pack of wolves arriving to devour a delicious five-course meal? Remembering what Michelle had said about runaway thoughts, Francie returned her gaze to the owl above. When she did, however, she saw something on the branch behind the great owl. Was she seeing double?
Everything soon made sense when the owl bent to fluff its feathers. Standing behind it was another owl. It must be a male and a female, Francie thought. When the two owls began rubbing their necks together, she realized that she was witnessing a mating dance.
Francie slowly closed her eyes, to internally register the beauty of this moment, but soon she opened them again, because she didn’t want to miss anything. When she looked up once more, however, the owls were gone. A feeling of sadness quickly washed over her. She wondered if she’d imagined the entire experience. But what did this mean? Was it somehow a metaphor about her life and the time she’d wasted? And what about the impending foreclosure? She wanted answers.
She felt alone again, and she found herself suddenly missing her husband, Christopher. She wanted to break the silence and ask for help. She was panicking. Her palms were sweaty and her chest grew tight, until finally she took a deep breath. It seemed to calm the thoughts swirling in her mind. Filling her lungs with deep, soulful breaths, she shut her eyes again and returned her mind to a place of calmness. As she released another breath, Michelle broke the silence.
“Slowly bring your attention back to your awareness and gently open your eyes.”
The women’s eyes seemed to scan the landscape as if they were seeing the lake for the very first time—all except Lisa, who shrugged, stood up, and announced, “Okay, I’m ready.”
Michelle ignored Lisa’s comment. “I’m sure there’s a lot you’d like to talk about, but let’s remain quiet as we hike back to the parking lot. Listen to the sounds of your feet touching the ground. Listen to your breath moving in and out of your body. Feel your heart beating and stay present. Know that where you have taken yourself in the last forty-five minutes of silence—” “Forty-five minutes? Really?” Francie said, astonished.
“Yes, believe it or not, it has been forty-five minutes since we closed our eyes. As I was saying, know that where you have taken yourself in the last forty-five minutes of silence is a sacred place you can return to whenever you want to. You don’t have to be sitting next to a lake, though it doesn’t hurt. You can carry that place with you… inside of you.” She smiled. Michelle liked knowing that her thoughts could become a sanctuary of the mind and that this place was always available, no matter what life was doing on the outside.
“So when we reach the parking lot, I want you to get in your car and drive directly home. Don’t turn on the radio. Don’t call home before you get there. Just continue with the process of letting go of any attachments you might have about money. About what you don’t have, or what you think you should’ve gotten in life, or the financial pressures bearing down on you. Let it all go now and concentrate on the ideas welling up from within your soul. Then, when you get home, sit down at the kitchen table, climb into your bed, or sit on your couch, and write. Write about what you saw. What you felt. Whatever. Just put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and write.” Michelle stood up.
Slowly, the women nodded and climbed to their feet as they began the journey back to the parking lot. Lisa seemed not to have gotten anything out of the process, as she led the way and put more and more distance between herself and the rest of the group, who walked in silence. With their minds swirling, the women were so focused they forgot to turn on their flashlights. The walk home was a different experience than the walk up. It seemed like everyone, except for Lisa, was now walking with a sense of wonderment and awe. Their step was lighter. Their spirits were lifted, but Michelle knew this was only a momentary experience. She knew trouble lay ahead.
Michelle knew they would fight tooth and nail to remain the same by holding on to their preconceived notions about money. They would fight because it was the devil they knew. The process of becoming awake and aware was not for the fainthearted, and Michelle couldn’t help wondering who would break down first. Would it be Francie, who up to this point had been locked in a life of sameness and fear? Was Lisa going to quit the Mastermind Group as if she’d gotten nothing from this experience? Would Lei Kim fall back into a workaholic pattern again, spinning on a treadmill of linear income living? Or perhaps Kanisha would run away altogether. Would she leave the baby behind? Despite all the questions running through her mind about the others, Michelle’s thoughts soon began to drift to her own evaluation. Had she been too tough? Not tough enough? Had this hike been a good idea? What would Samantha have done?
The thoughts continued until she finally smiled, let go of her critical voice, and knew that what had just happened was perfect. This was a different group from Samantha’s, and she didn’t need to spend any mental energy on comparing and competing. This was her group, and right now she was pleased with the first session. Ideas raced about their next gathering. Michelle couldn’t wait.