No trespassing

When I see a sign that reads, "No Trespassing", I am hesitant to continue. The sign is clear. In my head, it implies that I will be shot on sight if I pass that imaginary tree line acting like a fortress wall.

Respectful of the sign's demands, I turn and walk the other way.

Something cool happened to me recently. I was in another country. My internal clock said 6 am even though it was only 4 am locally. Not able to sleep, I went for a walk.

There was a gravel trail that led from my room towards a mountaintop. I wanted to see sunrise from the mountaintop. I had seen others enter this trail, so I knew it was fairly safe.  I strolled along for about five minutes when the path split. One path was still gravelled but much narrower. The other was only dirt. The safe choice was the gravelled path.

Searching for adventure, I took the road less travelled. The air was clean. I could smell the sunshine peaking through the horizon.

Ten minutes on my new path, I saw the back of a diamond shaped sign. Wondering what the sign said, I anxiously skipped to reveal my horror.

It read, "No Trespassing".

Was I a trespasser?
Did I miss another sign and mistakingly end up on someone else's property?
Was someone going to shoot me?
Once I passed the sign, should I be allowed to return from where I came?

The fear I had was inexplicable. I had broken one of my rules. Respect the wishes of others.

I was now a trespasser. As I retraced my steps to my room, I rehearsed several answers in case I met up with the Marlboro man and his shotgun.

"I don't want no trouble sir, I got lost"
"I must've missed the "No Trespassing sign", I'll be on my way"
"I didn't see anything. I'm just a bit lost"

I rushed back to my room. With my heart full of adrenaline, I wondered why that rogue sign existed. I asked the owner of the property about the sign. He told me not to worry about it.

The sign said, "No trespassing".  Was this sign to protect us from outsiders coming into our encampment?

Nope. Strangers walk those trails every day. We want people to enjoy the beauty of our complex.

Why is there a "No trespassing" sign?
I don't know. It must have been put there from the previous owners. Did you get to see the sunrise?

No, I was too afraid of being shot, so I scurried back to my room.

What I learned from this experience is there are rules I don't want to break. Yet in order to witness the beautiful sunrise, I had to ignore the "No Trespassing" sign.

I lost out on an amazing experience because of a stupid, inconsequential rule.

What stupid, inconsequential rules are holding you back from experiencing a better life?