The Path

While walking to work, I had a really profound thought that even surprised me. I was trudging through snow and thought to myself that thankfully it wasn’t too bad because I could remember when the only available path was the one you made. That last part really got me to thinking, “the only available path was the one you made.” 

Philosophically that resonated with me as an outlook on life and challenged previous thoughts I had. I thought life and the decisions we made were more akin to Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken which starts,” Two roads Diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both.” I thought the path we take through life was similar in that at some points we all hit that fork in the road and have to decide where to go or what to do next. From that one little thought I think I have a new prospective. 

We all have the same path essentially, we are born then we die, simple. It’s the events in between that obviously differ from person to person. Life isn’t a series of forks in the road, it’s more like walking through the snow to get to your destination. The path before us is unknown because we haven’t taken it. Sure other people and things can influence where you go, or others may have paths that they want you to follow, but essentially your life is that field of untouch snow you have to go through to create your own path. As with walking in snow, some obstacles you see and some you don’t, some people are walking a little faster, some a little slower, but the beauty is that it’s not a race to the finish you all just happen to be going the same way.

Some folks will probably see this as rubbish, but it makes sense to me, so why not share it? If this helps anyone gain clarity over their life then I’ve done a good bit for the world. Now I do realize we all don’t have the same resources, someone born into wealth and abundant resources may have an easier journey compared to someone born in a slum. But even that can be overcome with help. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow or an hour from now, I have expectations, but things could change instantly then I have to adapt, cause you know life happens. When I think about some of the kids I worked with, when my time with them ended I was worried they would go down the wrong path. Some lived in really rough areas, had siblings in gangs, not much positive family support, and I worried they would go down a dark path. But what I should hope for is that wherever their path takes them, that they overcome the obstacles that could hold them back, and achieve great things on their path. Only they can live their life, and only you can live yours.

In a time where so much is uncertain, in terms of resources getting to the right people, rising unemployment, crazy viruses, etc I hope you create a path that will benefit your mind, body, and soul. There will be obstacles, some you can prepare for, some you can’t; and there may be times you want to give up and let that snow take you. But keep going, you aren’t alone, yes your decisions are yours, and your path is yours, but a lot of times people are walking with you. Find those healthy support systems, get healthy mentally and physically, take breaks when you need to, but remember to keep moving forward. Gain real knowledge, proper knowledge, question old norms, learn about the world around, be the best you you can be. Every path may not be the same. I may walk through some valleys and see you climbing mountains, but we continue to chart these paths so the people behind us don’t get caught up in the same obstacles.

Love yourself, Care for others, and let’s fix this world. Later days

-Owl