Once, there was a boy who stood at the edge of a vast, twisted forest. The air was thick with shadows, the trees gnarled and ancient, their branches reaching out like claws. The boy was uncertain, filled with both fear and hope. He knew he had to enter the forest, though it was said that no one who entered ever came out the same. He clutched his heart, trying to trust in the light that faintly glimmered ahead, just beyond the trees. It was fragile, but it was there—a hope that something awaited him, something that would reveal who he truly was.
As he stepped into the forest, darkness closed in around him. From the shadows emerged beasts with horns and claws, their forms twisting with malice. They lashed at the boy, trying to pull him into the deep darkness. He winced, feeling their strikes across his body, but through it all, he held onto love. With each step, despite the pain, he offered love to the world. He didn’t know why, but deep down he believed that love could endure, even here in the blackest of places.
The beasts snarled and clawed, but the boy pressed on, his heart aching but unwavering. He waited—waited for something within him to awaken, to reveal who he truly was. With each lash, the pain grew, but so did his resolve.
Suddenly, he understood.
The boy’s eyes flashed open, and though the shadows still clung to him, he knew what he had to do. He broke into a run, sprinting as fast as he could toward a distant tower that rose above the trees, its peak glowing with a faint, otherworldly light. As he ran, his body began to change. With each stride, he grew taller, older, stronger. His legs carried him faster, his heart beat louder, and the forest began to fall away behind him. He was growing up—literally—while racing toward his destiny. The beasts still reached out for him, but he was no longer afraid.
Finally, the boy reached the tower. It was ancient and tall, its walls smooth and gleaming in the faint light of the stars. He climbed its steps with purpose, ascending higher and higher until he reached the top. There, at the highest point, he stood and felt an explosion within him. It was as if every ounce of love he had ever held in his heart erupted all at once. Light poured from him, blinding and brilliant, so powerful it sent the beasts scattering back into the forest.
And then, something remarkable happened—the beasts, once vicious and dark, began to change. Bathed in the boy’s light, they transformed into glowing, peaceful beings, their horns and claws dissolving into light. They no longer wished to pull him back into the darkness. Instead, they watched in awe as the boy stood victorious, radiating love and compassion over the land.
The boy, no longer just a boy, but something much more, looked down at the world below him. His journey had not been easy, but through trust, pain, and understanding, he had become who he was meant to be. He was now the light in the darkness, the hope for those still trapped in the shadows.
And so, the boy stood tall at the top of the tower, shining his light for all to see, knowing that love—his love—could transform even the darkest of places.
What do you think? Does this capture the spirit of the your journey?
This was inspired by a conversation with a great man. Here is how the initial text went.
I’m actually really ill. I’ve been crashing throughout the day. Some bad stuff happening in my life also paired with some amazing stuff. You know what I mean. It’s all just a test from God.
I just wanted to say how awesome you are and I see how many people you’re trying to help and you’re doing a great job. The best you can.
Beyond that this tournament could help so many people get noticed, and that is the most important thing to help people rise to me at least. It’s amazing what technology allows us to do, but in the wrong hands, it can become your nightmare.
I have lived there most of my life and learned to let the wild, 12 horned beasts scream in my face and lash me. Their poison has become my nectar. Their vengeance is my hope. Their pain is my sorrow. This is why I look at you and I say run run as fast as possible right now right now get out while you can.
