lilolove
I decided to take a hike in the woods about two years ago. It was a long time since I’ve been out in nature and I felt compelled to find the closest trail to experience the outdoors again. When I arrived, I had trouble locating the trail and I saw a group of hikers gathered in the parking lot that pointed me to another nearby trail. As I walked towards the path I started to question my decision to hike alone seeing that they were in a group of at least 12. I’m used to doing things alone, in fact I prefer to be alone 90% of the time. I’m a true lone wolf at heart ! So I shook off my doubt as I entered the woods.
As I continued I was pleased with my decision to come out into the woods. It was so serene and all of my childhood memories of being at camp and hiking in the Shenandoah mountains came rushing back and I felt excited to be on a little adventure for one. I pulled out my phone and started to record the trail and was enjoying every moment of it. The trail began to get narrower and I started to feel a little uncomfortable because I didn’t have a full view through the thick trees and my imagination started to bother me a bit about what animal could jump out and attack me.
I reminded myself that it wasn’t likely for any predators to be roaming in this area, a deer was probably the biggest animal out there. The path turned and twisted and then five white feathers on the trail caught my eye. They were so pure looking as if they just fell because it wasn’t any dirt on them. I felt instantly compelled to pick them up, but then I thought that maybe that wasn’t a good idea. I’ve heard somewhere that you should not take anything from mother nature, and it was best to admire it and move on. So i did.
So here I am enjoying my hike when I notice a “hunting area” sign. I’m only about 20 minutes into my walk but I decided to head back. It was around 5 pm and I was getting bored and I was a bit put off by the sign. As I walked back I was less aware of my surroundings and I realized that the trail I started on had multiple pathways but didn’t pay attention to the way I turned going back. I then approached this curvy tree that blocked the pathway a little and I thought that this was weird because I didn’t see it going up, but I kept walking. Then the trees really started looking strange. I was like HOLD UP! this is NOT the trail I began on. I looked at my phone to view the trail on my gps but my bars were gone. I’m not going to lie, I instantly panicked. I felt lost. My heart started pounding and I feared that if I was lost that It will get dark soon and then I would really be in trouble.
I turned and began down a new path not sure if it was the right one this time, but to my delight I saw the same five feathers again! I realized exactly where I was and felt like it was a sign guiding me back. I then picked them up because I thought that these had to be for me and they were my lucky feathers. As I made my way back to the parking lot I was so thankful that I did not initially pick them up because they helped me find my way back. I called my mom and told her about the experience. I also carried them in my purse everywhere I went from that day on because they meant so much to me (but unfortunately I lost them eventually changing bags) .
Looking back I came to realize that It was my angels watching over me and guiding me. I was never alone, only unaware. I also wasn’t as aware of the unseen spiritual world as I am now, and since then many other things have happened that encourage me to lead a different lifestyle. I believe we are all on spiritual paths whether we notice it or not and if we keep our hearts and eyes open for signs we will began to trust ourselves and see it in our everyday lives. I will never forget that day I found five feathers. I am forever thankful for that experience.