There is a sound that nature produces before its own self-destruction. It sounds like a combination of all existing voices, as if they all unite and create a single sound. Upon hearing it, it reaches the heart of every living creature on Earth to let them know that everything is about to become extinct. I ran with the idea of moving forward, grabbing by the arm everything that is important to me and in what I truly believe. It was impossible to think at that moment which direction I was heading, for I live on a rotating planet and one of those directions might lead me to the face of what I am supposed to be leaving behind. However, for some reason, I felt that I would survive and that I needed to feel secure about my choices and the perspective from which I view life so far.

The ocean seemed to overflow from its source, taking everything in its path. I could feel the intensity of its magnitude; I could feel it alive within me. The sound made by each thing it swept away seemed filled with desolation and deep nostalgia. What I felt in that moment was an urgent sense of saving myself; the most primitive part that lies in the memories of my human existence seemed to take full control of me, operating in a survival mode. It was as if the wild animal within my human species took form and sought, at all costs, the preservation of its own kind.

In the hustle of everyday life and the pursuit of self-realization in a changing society, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. How can one return to center when so many things are happening out there, and when we leave home it feels as if we are all ignoring the fact that this way of life we know could end in any split second? At what point did we allow superficialities to become more important than a true connection with others, than a meaningful conversation where one speaks while the other listens, and then the other speaks while the first listens? Where is the space to create a good, healthy meal to share, to truly see the other and what they are doing, and to analyze why they are doing what they are doing? When did we step away from our own nature to seek in the outside world a truth that will never be ours?

I always try to see and take care of the difference between two perspectives: mine and the collective, shared one. I try to force the separation between the two in order not to lose my own nature. I guess the dream I had revealed to me this new inner struggle and gave me a strong signal to stop whatever I am doing, to come back to my own center and live, no matter where I am now or where I am going tomorrow, I want to live from the place of being myself. To hold on to the things that are truly important, the things I truly believe in, and not be negatively influenced by the collective character nearby. I must absolutely respect myself.

American society can be interpreted in many different ways depending on how you look at it. Multiculturalism here is a reality, and some individuals believe they know who the other is based on the country they come from. I believe there is no clearer sign of ignorance than when we make assumptions about something or someone we do not know. The human race is known to be unique and unpredictable, and if you don’t make use of this power and freedom of thought, who are you following? I carefully guard all internal and external lines to preserve the idea I have of myself.

Every society in every country may have its ways of doing things, but we also deserve to have our own as individuals. Considering that life as we know it can end at any moment, there is no time to waste going places, being with people or doing things we don’t believe in.

I woke up the next morning from that trip to my consciousness in my sleep. I embraced myself and returned to my center, to what really matters. Wherever you are and wherever you read this, remember who you really are and what really matters.