“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.”

– Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher and poet, author of Tao Te Ching

“Can you see anything?” I asked in a loud whisper.

“Give me a chance,” came the reply. “The flashlight won’t work.”

I was 12, and my brother was 10. I was standing guard at the bottom of the ladder – nailed to the wall – that led to the attic of our old abandoned farmhouse. Always braver than I was and far less concerned about breaking the rules, my younger brother took little convincing to climb the ladder and explore the loft.

As a small child, I was in the attic and remembered it as a magical, mothb...

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