My next stop was in Palm Springs, after traveling through the Mojave Desert. The vastness of the desert was incredible, with such an expansive, open feeling. The only animal I spotted was a coyote, who seemed busy with his day, roaming around and doing what coyotes do.
Palm Springs has always amazed me. It’s such a small town, yet it has an energetic vibe similar to Las Vegas. During this stop, I felt pushed in my meditations to grow and confront some personal issues I really wasn’t ready to deal with. While getting an oil change on my van, I went for a walk, fuming about what I should and shouldn’t do. My mind kept racing. It was the biggest flare-up of ego I’d had in a while, and it seemed to last longer than usual. As I stomped through a crosswalk, caught up in my "man tantrum," BAM! I was hit by a black Mercedes convertible. I bounced off the hood and landed on my feet, both the driver and I in shock. Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt—just a bit jarred, which felt like the right word for it. I gathered myself, kept walking, and gradually fussed less as I processed the experience and moved past my wounded ego. That’s a powerful and almost cinematic moment—getting literally knocked out of your thoughts by a Mercedes in the middle of a Palm Springs crosswalk. It’s wild how life sometimes delivers the exact kind of wake-up call we need, even if it’s not in the form we expect.
Afterward, I headed across the mountain next to Palm Springs. The drive was beautiful, offering stunning views and avoiding the highway and Los Angeles as I made my way toward the West Coast. Along the drive, there is a Buddhist center, and the energy there feels much like other meditation centers—a crystal-clear, tranquil space where the sound of a bell seems to resonate endlessly. It's a peaceful and beautiful spot to visit while driving across the mountaintops.
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