On our last trip to Walt Disney World, we visited Reflections of China. We stood in the middle of a very large circular room, and were surrounded by images and movies of China, its history, its culture, its mystery, and its breathtaking beauty. I was enraptured. I was inspired.

I told Marcia that I wanted to go there. I wanted to see the Great Wall. I wanted to visit the Forbidden City. I wanted to experience the natural wonders of the Chinese landscape. The mighty Yangtzee River. Untold mountains of the ancient world. And manmade structures that were built in forgotten times … yet times that were not forgotten, but richly preserved in the heritage of the Chinese people.

I wanted to connect. I wanted to find a deep spiritual connection to the Earth, to nature, and to this ancient culture. I want to respect it, to understand it, and to let it wash over me.

I have been given my shot. I am on a plane traveling to Shanghai. From there, I will head to Hangzhou (known as Heaven on Earth) and finally to Beijing.

I am here for only a week. Will I be able to take it in? Will I be able to find what I am looking for?

I hope to be reminded how small I am. I hope to find that my contributions to the world are as of yet not significant. I hope to be inspired by what ancient men have built. And I hope to find myself there in that place. To find what I can be. What I can accomplish. That I can love my life and drink every last drop of this earth. And not be afraid.

I want to find my inspiration. I want to take it all in. I want to take it in as a wanderer. Leaving no path behind, but respecting the paths that have withstood centuries, and knowing that my hands touch the same stones that shaped empires.

Never believe you’re better than anybody else, but remember that you’re just as good as everybody else — John Wooden

DO I ASK TOO MUCH? I don’t believe you can ever ask too much.