And now, as promised, the 2 stories:
The Compromise
Walt Disney, a master of storytelling and imagination, had a deep-rooted love for the natural world and trains. In 1949, years before Disneyland became a reality, he purchased a secluded five-acre plot in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.
He envisioned a family home complete with a miniature railroad in the backyard. His wife, Lillian, initially bristled at the idea of her future flower garden being upstaged by a 1/8th scale railroad.
In a thoughtful compromise, Disney
designed a tunnel beneath the planned garden area, ingeniously integrating both his and Lillian's dreams. To win her complete approval, he lovingly named the locomotive "Lilly Belle."
Over time, their backyard transformed into a stunning sanctuary, with plants meticulously chosen to complement the miniature
railroad. This intimate oasis became a microcosm of what Disneyland would later embody—a blending of nature and imagination.
Walt Disney once said, "Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of
trees, fresh-water ponds, seaweed jungles between tides, and even drops of water. Life in these hidden worlds is more startling in reality than anything we can imagine."
The Path
My brother has a walking ritual he's kept for nearly a decade. Near his house, a well-worn, three-mile path winds its way around a scenic field. He walks it almost every day. The routine serves multiple purposes in his life. It helps him decompress from the pressures of his job as a civil engineer.
It's also his daily dose of exercise and a time for spiritual reflection where he prays, meditates, and feels a sense of closeness to God.
He's walked this path so often he recognizes
landmarks like old friends. Trees, rocks, even the trails left by deer, serve as signposts for how far he's come. While he usually stays on the designated path, occasional detours have led him to unexpected obstacles—a hidden hole or a jutting tree root.
For my brother, the path is more than just a track of
soil and sand. It's a metaphor for his spiritual journey. When he sticks to the path God has laid out for him, he feels a deep sense of peace, love, and direction. Veering off course, he says, often leads to stress and chaos.
My brother relies on daily practices like reading scripture and prayer for an hour
each morning, to keep him focused and moving forward. Each step, he tells me, strengthens his faith.
