Finding Faith In Iceland

by Sadie Tydings (United Kingdom (Great Britain))

I didn't expect to find Iceland

I spent a lot of my life finding it difficult to believe in a higher power or “oneness” on earth. I was always intrigued by the idea, though it didn’t quite fit right with me and the way I perceived the world. If it wasn’t for my travels in Iceland and things unfolding the way they did, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I arrived in Iceland the day after my birthday and rented a Land Rover from the airport, renting a car for The Golden Circle road trip was on my bucket list and if it isn’t already on yours; add it right now! The roads are smooth and beautiful to drive on and 4x4 cars are the perfect selection for the weather conditions. On our road trip we stopped at least 100 times to park on the side of the road and just soak up the landscape. Whilst enjoying the beautiful white blanket of snow sweeping across the floor contrasting the blue sky and nothing in between, I began thinking again of oneness and questioning how we, as humans could possibly be connected to such beauty and the awe that is nature. I came to no conclusion but these thoughts persisted as we sat under waterfalls, bathed in hot springs and hiked mountains. I couldn’t get over how beautiful Iceland is and for some reason I couldn’t shake the idea that we are some how connected to all of nature, it kept tossing around in the back of my mind searching for an answer or evidence. I asked the universe for a sign, an answer that I could understand and I left it up to destiny. After our hike, we returned to our spacious 4x4, heated our seats and set off in continuation of our journey. We drove for some miles on the open roads before we came across mountains to the left of us and I noticed that one of them was shaped like a human man’s face. I couldn’t believe it! And at that very moment, I had a gust of information that my brain had picked up from science and nature documentaries but forgotten til that very second and it was instantly that I knew and understood faith and unity between us and our planet. I remembered how the moon influences the tide and sea creatures, how the psychology and behaviour of animals is so similar to that of human nature and how even a mountain is able to look like us. It was there, on the side of the road in Iceland where I found something I never expected to find... I found faith, I found a belief system and the knowing that every thing on this planet is connected in a beautiful and loving way. It is through this download of information that I found security and a feeling of unlimited protection and I hope that after reading this, you too, have your aha moment that brings you as much peace and protection as Iceland brought me.