Between birth and death, we journey through this world. We journey each day and stop and rest each night to journey on the next day. Many of us have no strong sense of direction, purpose or destination. For many this is natural, they wander from one adventure to another. They go where life takes them. Trusting life will take them where they need to go. To teach them what they need to learn. And ultimately to take them home.
While this is true for all of us, however paradoxically, for many they need and search for a purpose, a meaning, a vocation or goal. They find a path in the randomness of life. The Native Americans called it the Pollen Path. Your own blessed path through this life.
Some, even in childhood, know what they want to do. But for most we wander for many years or decades as adults lost, searching for a path, a way, our home or treasure. Because we often suffer in the search, when we do find our path we treasure it.
Often our path transcends us in a way. We want to help others or make them happy. So, we are not just living for ourselves anymore. For some the goal is to set up a business to provide a service, to write a novel or for those on a spiritual path home could be a state of enlightened consciousness. However, for the path or home to stay alive it must be shared. As we make our humble hero’s journey through life we have to overcome many trials. However, when we find the treasure we must return and share the treasure or we would not be heroes. Life would not be renewed unless the treasure found is shared.
Also, we journey from childhood to adulthood to old age and maybe beyond. We journey from innocence to knowledge, grow in wisdom, and may return to innocence. Each stage in life comes with its trials and lessons. Resisting this part of the journey only increases our suffering and hinders our growth. There are other milestones on the journey. Our first day in school, our first kiss, our first job, and marriage becoming a Mother or Father and a Grandparent, retirement, and passing on out of this world. Life is a mixed bag. Filled with blessings to be grateful for, difficulties to overcome, opportunities to explore, decisions to make, and grief and longings at times. Good times too. Some find meaning in sharing their life with another or in parenthood, others go it alone. Some learn to live with ill health or disability and grow with all the challenges they bring.
The journey is often to find and manifest love in one form or another. We may journey for quite some time before we hit on our path. We may come to many forks in the road, and we must make choices.
Having a strong sense of your path can help you weather the storms of life that can get disorientating. It won’t take you too long to pick up your path again. Also having that strong sense of meaning will also help give you a sense of personal value. That is a treasure in and of itself.
If you are confused about your path you are among many. It can be basic. A boy was asked by his teacher, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”, he replied, “Kind.” So if you are wandering or on a path, enjoy the journey. There is no hurry. And remember the obstacles don’t block the path they are the journey. Bon Voyage!
