"There is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything, I feel it though I do not see it. It is this unseen power which makes itself felt and yet defies all proof, because it is so unlike all that I perceive through my senses. It transcends the senses. But it is possible to reason out the existence of God to a limited extent. Even in ordinary affairs we know that people do not know who rules or why and how He rules and yet they know that there is a power that certainly rules.” – Mahatma Gandhi.

Between the heaven and the earth, there lies this “mysterious power” that “pervades everything”; many refer to these “mysteriously powered” places as thin places. Its something that if you keep your mind and heart open to, you can feel it, but its nothing that can be seen. While it may be a thin place, I truly believe it is a powerful place. And while it can’t be seen, I truly believe this thin place brings out the beauty of the world and the beauty of His plan, whatever that may be.

A thin place has, to some people, a religious meaning and to others it has, more or less, a philosophical meaning. To me, I truly believe that because His power is so great, it takes on many meanings that we as humans can’t possibly comprehend. While I remain believing that, to me and two of my friends, Alex and Miranda, a thin place has begun to take on more of a meeting time and place for our little “club”.

Now, I’m aware nocturnology isn’t actually a word, but Alex, Miranda and I made up this word for our so called “club”, The Nocturnology Club. We are like night owls (hints the title). Without any sort of collaboration, we find ourselves meeting in the basement of our sorority house around midnight. While we intend for these nights to be for doing (or attempting to do) homework, we find ourselves staying up countless hours of the night just talking about anything ranging from a funny meme we found on twitter to the unknowns of the world and our fifteen-minute “study breaks” turn into sixty-minute dance sessions. They say the best and most memorable times spent in college are the nights that you stay up talking with your friends until five in the morning… I can gladly attest to that.

Alex and Miranda have become two really close friends of mine. We can talk about anything and everything. While my friends and I have grown up with different backgrounds and taken on different views of the world I can gladly say this hasn’t gotten in the way of our friendship. During this thin place in the basement of our house, there’s this “mysterious power” that brings us close. A mysterious power that after a long stressful day, brings me peace and happiness. I can’t speak for them but these nights have been, hands down, my favorite memories about college. Even though I can’t physically see this “mysterious power”, I can sure feel its works. I can feel its love. I can feel its intentions.

I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. I am a true believer that we cross paths with people because either they are meant to change your life or you are meant to change theirs…or both. While sometimes these reasons aren’t clear, it takes an open heart and mind to see these reasons. It takes an open heart and mind to feel this “mysterious power”.

Where the thin places are lies the moments and memories filled with love, power and intention. While bonds form and plans are in its work, a lifetime of memories are created.

While it is the last semester in college for most seniors, I fully intend to continue taking these days (and nights) to keep my heart and mind open as I let the “mysterious power” perform its works. And while I have gone twenty years without these college friends, sisters and teammates, now that they have all entered my life and experienced these thin places (wherever that may be) with me, I can’t imagine living life without them and I can’t wait to see (feel) what comes from these thin placed memories.