Giving Voice to My Astonishment

Beginnings, Endings, and the Paths Between
“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”
~Henry David Thoreau

Once again, I’m pursuing a narrow and crooked path; it seems to be a pattern in my life. Perhaps, it is a pattern in all lives.

When we are standing at the edge of What Is, peering out into the distance at What May Be, it’s easy to feel fear, dread, and immense doubt. I mean, who knows what could happen once we step off the known path, off of solid, stable ground?  And yet, here we are. We made a decision to head off into a different direction.

Wait, though: This path looks narrower. This path looks more crooked. This path doesn’t look or feel near as safe as the path beneath us now. It’s not too late to stop and turn around. We could run back towards safety, if a safe life is what we seek. But, maybe, just maybe, this could be the path we’ve been seeking all our lives. Or more likely, maybe this is the path that has been seeking us? We won’t know until we step off the firm asphalt onto the rocky, muddy, rooty path before us.

Remember: on this path, if we walk with love and reverence, there are no mistakes, just lessons and adventures. And possibilities.
Look! Out into the distance–We’re almost there.
Keep going. Keep going. Keep going.

Author’s photo: The paths around Yogaville, Satchidananda Ashram, Buckingham, VA. May 2016