Step First, Trust Later

Finding Inspiration in Unfamiliar Paths

I woke up later than normal in my hotel room in Perrysburg, all because at 4 a.m. I awoke with

ideas I had to capture in writing. After an hour of creative release, I told myself to lie back down

and rest before starting a longer-than-normal workday, a day that had me arriving back home

close to midnight.

Luckily, I fell back asleep. An hour later, at the sound of my alarm and the sight of my yoga mat

already in place, it was GO time. I preferred an invigorating walk outdoors but wasn’t familiar

with the area and wasn’t crazy about hoofing it around a parking lot. After thinking about it a

little more, I decided to give it a go anyway.

Exiting the back entrance, I started through the parking lot passing cars and campers and was

quickly pleased when I saw a sidewalk to the left. It looked as if it meandered through an

industrial park, not sure if that was any better than a car park, but there was no traffic, so I

followed it. The buildings appeared abandoned or perhaps just too early in the day. My thoughts

turned to the regional economy, and I hoped these businesses hadn’t succumbed to yet another

shut down that is all too familiar after growing up in Youngstown.

Discover Nature’s Hidden Gems: A Serene Urban Escape Awaits!

Within a few quick strides, another pleasant surprise appeared on my left, a butterfly

conservation garden. What a lovely sight to see between a shopping center and an industrial

park: a sanctuary city for butterflies with yellow and purple and pink wildflowers. I paused,

snapped a photo, then picked up my pace.

I strode past more empty parking lots, again no activity. Then the road bent into a new and

decorative roundabout. I continued in the direction of an apartment complex. The sidewalk

wound like a serpent and was lined with pine trees, ones I had never seen before, they had tiny

light green pinecone shaped buds. There were more trees of varied species, more pausing, more

photos. Moving further I saw flourishing perennial blue hydrangea bushes. Birds sang in chorus;

the sun was shining…good stuff!

I was thrilled that I took that step of faith and walked outside to see where it would lead.

Eventually, the road led back to the front of the hotel on the edge of the shopping center.

By now, I needed coffee, preferably from a local place. I opened my phone to search for one and

noticed it was 7:58, the same numbers that comprised the extension that began every phone

number in Boardman, my hometown. I looked past my phone to see a quietly flowing stream

below. Two good signs!

The coffee shop was located on the opposite side of the shopping complex. That was okay, I had

plenty of time and paused to listen to the gentle flow of the water, another photo op, and say a

few prayers of gratitude for where my surprisingly nature filled walk had taken me.

The route to the coffee shop zig-zagged through another apartment/condo area with more

blooming bushes, well cared for landscape, and a complex called “Mosaic.” Hard stop to snap a

photo. Prior to my walk, one of my friends posted on Instagram about life’s difficulties, being

broken, and the new version of ourselves being a “mosaic.” Good thoughts!

It was a pleasant walk to the coffee shop under blue skies in the morning heat. Once inside, I saw

the menu featured Superman themed drinks, in honor of the movie release and being filmed

locally. I caught the vibe and ordered the Superman Kryptonite toasted marshmallow cold brew

with espresso cold foam. I was having a super morning therefore I had to honor the superhero

with ordering this super drink. Not disappointed, it was one of the most delicious cups of Joe

I’ve ever had in my super life, and not too sweet, as I feared. But I should not fear when

Superman is near. They also had merch, t-shirts, coffee, and hydro flasks with their coffee shop

logo. I didn’t have enough money with me to make a purchase; I vowed to come back to buy a

souvenir of my powerfully pleasant morning.

On my way back to the hotel, I was super stoked at the spontaneity of stepping out without

knowing where I would end up or what would happen along the way. Positive energy filled me

with every sip of my creamy delightful, caffeinated brew. Step, sip, smile, step, step, sip, sip,

smile, step, step, sip, sip, sipidy do dah, smile.

Then, out of nowhere, it hit me… kryptonite is Superman’s weakness. My thoughts spiraled. My

Irish sense of doom kicked in. I knew the rest of the day would be all downhill. Clouds rolled in,

the heat turned to humidity, I hadn’t eaten breakfast, and like a metronome ticking in my brain it

was time for: “work, work, work, work!”



After a few quickened steps in the direction of the hotel, something snapped, and with one swift

swipe of my Wonder Woman metal braceleted wrist, I swished my thoughts away. Not today

negative neurons! Not today. I took a hard left to follow a different path back to my hotel and

focused on all that was wonderfully spontaneous and peaceful and vibrant and flowing and

beautiful and butterflies and Boardman and mosaics and …thank you Superman, you saved the

day!

The day ended with a magnificent sunset at the start of my three-hour drive home to pick up my

loved one at the hospital emergency room. I knew it!