Welcome to Earth (And Buffet of Sorrows)

I arrived at Earth expecting a five-star soul resort. The brochure promoted things like: "Adventure! Transformation! Unconditional Love!" It looked epic. I signed up on the spot. Didn’t even read the fine print.

Turns out, the place had been hit by a Category 6 hurricane of trauma a few centuries earlier. Most of the buildings were abandoned. The staff looked half-asleep, half-insane. And the “wellness centre”? Well… it stunk like a Hungarian thermal cave, minus the wrinkly half-naked elderly men draped in cock covering towels. Not exactly the rejuvenating oasis I had in mind.

Still, I figured — "Maybe the breakfast buffet will be ok." Because after all, how bad could it really be?

I walked in, tray in hand, hungry for something warm and comforting. Here’s what was on offer:
- Pain — Unlimited
- Suffering — Fresh daily
- Identity Theft — House specialty
- Dopamine Hijacks — Complimentary with every meal
- Disappointment — Chef’s recommendation

I blinked. Where were's the f**ing pancakes?

I flagged down a waitress, she was a twisted old woman with eyes like dying stars, and asked, "Excuse me… where’s the pancakes?"

She just cackled and shuffled off without a word. Left me standing there with my empty tray and a glaring realisation: Maybe this was the menu all along.
 
No upgrades. No service. No refunds. For a second, I wanted to flip the table and rage against the whole shitting experience. Scream for a manager that didn’t exist. Demand a refund from a travel agent whose number had been conveniently disconnected.

But then, as I stood there surrounded by the wreckage, I noticed something else... A kid in the corner, laughing so hard he snorted milk through his nose. An elderly man carefully helping a woman pick up her spilled coffee. A tiny wildflower pushing up through a crack in the broken concrete floor. And then… a striking pink butterfly hovered over me and gently landed on my tray. As if to say, "Hello human… look what I can do. What can you do?" 

Life. Love. Magic. Still here. Stubborn. Still undefeated. 

It was as if Earth herself was reminding me—miracles don’t scream; they land softly, when your soul is finally still enough to listen.

This is an except from my upcoming book, Kind Warrior. Access more sample chapters or pre-order now from 👉www.trentleyshan.com.au/books