An event like that can have a profound effect on one.
Thanks for sharing it, Tim.
There have been other similar events in the past but not with the clarity of hindsight in how it went down in this particular situation. It got me thinking about parallel universes, string theory and our concept of time and our place in the universe. I thought to myself why hadn't previous incidences present this level of clarity and mindfulness.
This event got me thinking about different "spiritual" languages that aren't necessarily verbal when I was reminded of an encounter several days prior arguing with a 70 year old man and his wife who were having trouble due to health issues taking a walk through our local Panther Canyon park which is quite rocky but has a walking trail. The husband came up to me and asked how far the trail goes into the canyon where I replied it was about a 20 minute walk. They said they walked about 50 feet and got tired which was why they were leaving.
Then the husband rattled me with the oddest comeback when he asked "Where would you like to die if you died right now?". Thinking it was a philosophical comment on the beauty of nature I said, "Right here in Panther Canyon. It's beautiful". Then he chuckled and said, "No, where do you want to go after you die?"
OH SH*T! Another attempt at my being evangelized. I told him I'm quite familiar with the gospel but it's been nothing but a negative experience dealing with people on that level, something I'ld like to avoid. He said those prior people didn't do it right which he didn't realize as most do when they say this that they're admitting faith's divisive nature when it should bring people together which pissed me off even more because he wouldn't let it go.
I then noticed I became more focused on his belief system instead of the fact that this guy was most likely on his death bed if he couldn't walk 50 feet without getting tired. I felt sort of heartless after my arguing with him on the subject. He then grabbed my hand to shake it and pulled me in like Trump with that newly appointed judge and grabbed my elbow with his other hand saying "Bless you" which I took as an act of dominance because he wanted to save face from my arguing with him over his faith in front of his wife which pissed me off even more.
The two events to me are like an internal spiritual language only humans can engage in. Animals don't do this. Why did these events happen when most of my days are quite uneventful. I pondered if you stay in one place long enough which for me so far has been 5 years, you're most likely to notice patterns but this was ridiculously too happenstance. Like something is trying to teach me or remind me something about life and our place in the universe.
Maybe it's about establishing priorities? Or maybe it's just the effects of changing weather patterns on our moods. I know these two events renews my appreciation of life and existence no matter how dull and pointless it may seem at times. Life is amazing!