November 14th through the years.

Today, I find myself reflecting on dreams, memories, and symbols that seem to echo across time. Through a series of moments—both in waking life and in my dreams—I feel the threads of my past, present, and future selves drawing close, almost as if in silent communion.

This morning’s diary entry began with the brisk energy of the day. The cold air and clear skies felt like a fresh start, both for me and the world around me. There was a sense of renewal in the air—a shedding of old weight, replaced by something sharper, more vital. In that moment, even my car seemed to hum with newfound life. It reminded me that our paths often shift with the seasons, each cycle bringing its own energy, wisdom, and challenges to greet.

As I reflected on my recent medical appointment, the memory of a brief connection with the new doctor surfaced. In an unexpected turn, we discovered we had both served in Afghanistan, a bond that, however fleeting, felt grounding. There was laughter with my friend, Kumiko, as I mused about my life’s path, a path shaped by choices that are uniquely mine yet tethered to shared experiences. Through it all, I saw a gentle current of resilience and humor—the subtle strength we gain from those who journey alongside us, even if only briefly.

Then, as if in acknowledgment of my path, the sight of an old Buick Roadmaster greeted me. A symbol of years past, it seemed to carry a message from my former self, the one who had navigated so much in that very car. I took it as a nod from the universe, a reminder of where I’ve been and a testament to how far I’ve come.

As I recall other dreams and moments—such as the pond dream with my father—I feel this pattern of renewal and connection growing even more vivid. That clear, serene pond, with its golden and earthen stones, its large, healthy fish, and my father beside me, all felt like a place of belonging and blessing. It was as though he and I were sharing an unspoken understanding. The dream had a sacred stillness to it, like an unbroken thread that carries my father’s pride and guidance into my present, grounding me in the strength of our bond.

Then, there’s the memory of the dream from 2019—the cryptic vision of healing, where I prayed for the power to save a wounded man. This dream was visceral, intense, and layered with meaning. The act of becoming a healer, feeling energy surge through my hands to revive another, was humbling. To watch him transform back to a child and then to a baby was a powerful image of renewal, perhaps of forgiveness or redemption, and the purity we each carry within. I am reminded that, at times, I am both the protector and the healer—not only for others but for myself, through past hurts and future growth alike.

Central Theme: Renewal and the Cycles of Healing

As I draw these moments together, a central theme emerges: renewal and the cycles of healing. In both waking and dreaming life, I see a deep interconnection between my past, present, and future. Each part of my journey contributes to a sense of wholeness, resilience, and quiet strength. There is a power in honoring where I’ve been, a beauty in recognizing my own role as both healer and seeker of healing.

It is as though I am continuously journeying through moments of shedding and rebirth, returning again and again to the essence of who I am—unearthing wisdom, finding forgiveness, and walking forward with reverence for all that I carry within.

The Spiritual Context of the Number 4

In many spiritual contexts, the number 4 is deeply symbolic and represents structure, stability, and balance. It’s often tied to foundational elements in both material and metaphysical worlds, embodying the sense of “四つの柱” (yottsu no hashira), or “four pillars,” that support life and existence. Let’s explore a few interpretations across different traditions:

1. Balance and Stability: In many cultures, the number 4 represents groundedness and stability, like the four legs of a table or the four corners of a foundation. In this sense, 4 is seen as a number that provides the support necessary to grow and build upon.

2. Natural Order: The number often symbolizes the natural world and its cycles. We see this in the “四季” (shiki), or four seasons, and the “四方” (shiho), or four directions (north, south, east, and west). This reflects an inherent order in the universe that’s stable yet dynamic.

3. Earth and Practicality: It’s often associated with earthly matters, a contrast to the number 3, which can represent more ethereal or spiritual concepts. The number 4 relates to manifesting spiritual truths in a practical, material way. It’s like tapping into the energy of chikara no tane, or “seeds of power,” where things take root and grow in real-world ways.

4. Completion and Wholeness: The number 4 can signify the completion of a cycle, like the four elements (earth, water, fire, air) in many spiritual traditions, which represent the building blocks of all physical matter. This echoes the idea that everything is interconnected and complete within these four aspects.

5. Yin-Yang Duality Amplified: In some philosophies, 4 represents the dualities within dualities, like the interplay of yin and yang expanded to cover the four directions, four seasons, and so on. It creates a balanced whole, where each part of existence complements and balances the other.

Interestingly, in Japanese, the word for 4 (shi) sounds similar to the word for death (shi), which also gives it a layer of somber reverence, as the cycle of life and death is seen as part of the universal balance.

Overall, 4 is a potent number in spiritual thought—a foundation upon which both physical and spiritual stability rest, mirroring the steady flow of life through balance, cycles, and the grounding of abstract energy into the tangible world.

Entering the Year of the Dragon

It’s another great day to be alive in 2024, as we move on into the future. We just hit March, and 2024 is already to a great start. We just entered the year of the Dragon according to the Chinese Calender, and as I research it what it means, many revelations are brought forth.

I’m not too familiar with the concept of the Chinese Calender. All I ever knew was the regular Calender, and the zodiac symbols that we reference in astrology. I’m an Aquarius, and if that is to be understood by me, I’m pre-dispositioned to certain character traits while having an affinity towards or against other people based on the timing of when they were born. This all ties into the grander scheme of the alignment of the planets in that particular time cycle, always referencing the pattern of reoccurring orbits.

The concept of Chinese calendar takes our concept of zodiac, and makes it even more complex. By even more metrics in which they evaluate the destiny of somebody’s life, they assign an animal to that particular cycle of time to which certain traits that no one’s to life are supposed to manifest. Hence, we find ourselves in 2024 in the year to the dragon. This is supposed to be the year where people who have natural leadership abilities are supposed to be able to reap the benefits of their natural inclination to be able to lead and have people follow them.

Proceeding into this year, it’s probably wise to think about our natural leadership abilities and to what degree we excel at them. Of course only you can answer this question for yourself, but they are projecting this to be a year of great change. So let’s all hang on for a ride and take care of each other along the way.

Another Day, Another Heatwave

This week, I started another trip crisscrossing the southern portion of the United States. I packed up my bags, stayed in the Sheraton Hotel the night previous, and started out with my adventures early the next morning.

The weather is hot, and it’s trending to only get hotter. This is Texas weather for this time of year. Supposedly we might be in another El Nino season and it’s only going to start getting hotter.

I hope you enjoy these photos.