Written By: Michael Sandoval

The “Rock”

“Unexpected Inspiration”

I have been in the United States for the last month. I left Spain once the boarders were open in efforts to see my parents and enjoy my entire family. Being home with them was inspiring and a true blessing. Spending time in the home that contained endless memories allowed me the opportunity to reflect on my life as I normally like to do.

Let me tell you a story about a “Rock”….

On a warm sunny afternoon walking through my college campus after having a bad day in early 2005, I began to think about how I was entirely stressed. I wasn’t sure on how I was going to make it. School was giving me a run for my money, work although extraordinary was taking up all of my time and practicing for my culinary competitions was starting to consume the remaining physical and emotional energy that I had left inside of my reserve tank. How was I going to get through these moments in time? What did my future look like? I was young and scared.

Pondering these negative thoughts while walking, I remembered reading about something interesting called the “Law of Attraction”… The theory was in many ways based on a biblical quotation from Mathew 21:22… In simple terms it described a three step process. Ask, Believe and receive. Could it be that simple? Before I continue, allow me the opportunity to mention that this is not a declaration of miracles, but a personal experience that provided me with guidance, purpose and hope!

Among a wide range of dessert landscape, I came across a non-distinct and almost boring rock while walking. I casually picked up the rock and placed it inside of my “watch pocket” located on the right hand side of my Levi’s. I went about my day and completely forgot about the piece of collective minerals inside of my jeans. I arrived home and proceeded with my normal routine. I had dinner, watched some television and had a few conversations with my parents about my day. As I started to prepare myself to take a shower just before bed, I undressed and felt the firm irregular wedge that I had discovered earlier in the day.

I began thinking of how I was feeling when I curiously picked up the piece of matter while walking thought the schools courtyard. Intuitively I started to imagine this “rock” as my saving grace. I thought that if I were to use this lifeless stone as a reminder of the things that I wished to accomplish that it could give me inspiration. I promised myself that I would carry this “rock” around at all times. I would place it inside of my pocket every day when I dressed in the morning and lay it my my bedside again in the evening. When I would pick up this “rock” from my dresser, I would hold it inside of my hand and remember my aspirations. In some way, shape or form I was asking for the things that I wanted in my life. The day would continue and as I worked hard and faced the world’s challenges with a fierce determination, I would mostly forget about the light brown colored and spotted oval fragment that was inside of my pocket. It was always during the evening when my rituals of arriving home and preparing myself for bed that my “rock” would resurface. I would pull it out of my pocket and place it in my hand and think about all of my goals as I tightly gripped the stone deeply into my palm. It would encourage me to submit all of the positive energy into those expectations. I would place it on my dresser once again and go to bed. I did this for at least one year. The rock went from my dresser, to my palm and then into my pocket every day. I started to realize that I was giving all of my energy back to myself. I began seeing the possibilities of attaining what I once considered impossible. This rock was able to get me past one of the toughest years of my collegiate career. I was able to accomplish the goals!

Fast forward 15 years later to July 31st, 2020….

The last day with family was emotional as it normally is when saying goodbye. We always know that there will be miles in between us and a tremendous amount of time before we encounter another opportunity to embrace.

This day was a little more special for me!

My father walked into the room as I carefully packed my suitcase. He politely interrupted and began to tell me that he had something to give me. I was intrigued, but expected his usual “take care of your-self” speech….

He held out his closed hand and with his palm facing down he asked me to extend mine under his. With a joyous look and a slight glossy film over his eyes he allowed his left hand to come undone. A small and hard object fell directly into my pale palm. He looked at me as the gloss in his eyes turned into tiny droplets of tears and said…

“I think you need this again”.

It was my “rock’!

Without knowing, 15 years ago, my father noticed my elaborate relationship with this unexplainable object. He never asked nor ever intervened; he just knew that it somehow inspired me. He kept the rock the entire time without me knowing as if he knew that there would be another moment in my life when I would be looking for undefinable guidance.

I thought about it for a few days and realized that unconsciously the “rock” somehow made a small impact on my father as well. Through the turbulent times I was able to find something that gave me purpose and he was able to see the strength that it gave me. He saw how it helped me to get through stages of insecurity and how it persuaded me to advance myself into a state of mental and emotional happiness!

I am extremely thankful that my father reunited me with such a great gift. He has waited all this time and has chosen the right moment to present me with the form of motivation that I once called…

“The Rock”.

I share this story with you as a reminder that these tough times will also pass. We will all get through this is we stay determined! I encourage each one of you to find your muse! The one thing, weather tangible or spiritual that provides you with the faith that you need to accomplish your goals even through incredibly difficult moments!

I am grateful that i have mine!