The water sparkled in the sunlight, distorting the figures of the man and horse reflected on the surface. The white horse stood tall with its ears pricked forward while the man, a wide grin on his face, gently stroked its neck.

That man was me. The sound of the waterfall cascading into the lake, creating a mist, filled my ears. Breathing in the fresh air, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander. I used to dwell too much on the past and the future, always wanting more and never appreciating what I had. As a child, I had lived in the present, full of wonder and boundless imagination.

Nothing was too difficult, no journey too far. I never understood why people tried to talk me out of my dreams and aspirations. But their words had crept into my mind, and I had become too concerned with meeting their expectations.

The cry of an eagle snapped me out of my thoughts, and I felt the wind from its wings brush against my skin as it flew past us and perched on a rock in the lake with its wings outstretched. For me, the eagle represented freedom, something I always yearned for.

With the wind in my hair and the endless landscape before me, I spurred my horse and galloped across the rolling countryside towards my ranch. As I approached, my best friend rode out to greet me, and my heart swelled with happiness.

Our friendship had endured over twenty years, even when I moved away to California after graduation. For the past two weeks, he had been visiting my horse ranch, and we had been taking care of the animals together, riding out, and reminiscing around the campfire.

Over time, I learned to keep my circle small, consisting only of those who believed in my dreams and me. Looking back, I realized that after every setback and disappointment, a new opportunity presented itself.

These doors allowed me to follow my heart and move in a new direction. And now, as the sun slowly set behind my ranch, bathing the landscape in a warm, reddish light, I knew that I had rediscovered myself.