Everything Happens for a Reason

How a NDE brought me to this conclusion

I used to think that life was happening *to* me, not through me and because of me.

But then, one day, I went hiking alone…

I had an argument the night before, and I wanted to have some peace and solitude in nature. I didn’t tell anyone I was going.

I was in such a frazzled and discontent state that I didn’t eat a very nourishing breakfast and only packed myself a granola bar and a 25-oz water bottle, because I just wanted to get out of the house as soon as possible.

Something possessed me to try out a trail I had never been on before that day. It was late summer, and there was no shade on the first stretch of the trail.

Honestly, this should have been my first clue to turn around

After a while, I found a shaded place to rest and eat my granola bar.

The reality of the situation set in.

I was up in the mountains. Alone. With no cell service. Nobody knew where I was. I hadn’t eaten much. My sugar felt like it was dropping. I didn’t pack enough food or water to replenish myself. I had nothing to defend myself with. No gear. No supplies. No support.

I nibbled on my one snack as dread and fear crept in.

But right at that moment, a couple passed me, hiking back towards the trailhead.

As they passed me, one of them said, “Oh, what a lovely spot to take a break!”

I said, “Yes, it is! Thank you!”

I took this selfie in that spot for whoever found me. You can see how pale I was and how chapped my lips were

What I wanted to do and what I should have done was say, “Can I join you for the hike back to the trailhead? I am an idiot who didn’t think this through, and now I don’t feel safe. Can you please help me get back?”

But I didn’t. I waved them goodbye and sat there with sheer terror facing me. I was too ashamed to admit I needed help. And I could have died because of it.

But that’s not where this story ends.

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