Journey #14

This message came about as I was contemplating my particular circumstances.  I recently had to make a major choice in the path I was travelling, and it was not at all an easy choice.  My journey over the last almost nine years had taken me in a direction I thought I would travel for the rest of this lifetime and it was a shock to discover that there was a closed gate across my way forward.

There was nothing stopping me from opening the gate and carrying on, other than my inner knowing that this was no longer the road for me.  The signpost pointing my way forward was very clear – I needed to turn left at the gate and step onto another path.  

This path is a very old one – the sort of path that has been etched into earth by centuries of travel.  The type of path that is a sure and solid foundation on which more robust and smoother roads can be built.

As I look at the path I see that there are rocks and stones, so I need to tread carefully.  These represent the difficulties I may encounter if I charge blindly along.  But with care, I may see these rocks and stones as hidden gems of knowledge to explore or to carry with me.

Over the horizon I know I will find mountains to climb and rivers to cross.  There will be people to meet and travel with for a while.  There will be places for beauty and joy and happiness, and places that look like deserts.  But all these places will bring their own gifts of knowledge and strength.

But where is this path heading?  I have no idea where the ultimate destination will lead, but I have some knowledge of the direction I am heading.  So I tuck inside my backpack all the knowledge I have gained during the nine years of walking the path to the gate; pick up my walking staff, turn left and set out.

Do you follow a very specific path on your journey, or do you meander where life takes you?  And more importantly, do you clearly see the signposts that tell you when you have reached the end of one road, and it’s time to choose another.