A PATH

A path is a path.

Even when it leads nowhere.

Even when it circles back to where we started off, or at least the point at which we think we started off. In that context, both ends of the path coincide.

A path knows no intentions, bad or good, no pretention beyond its shallow limits. Limits that can be blurred by the growing grass, the eroding soil, or the overflowing waters.

A path can be wide or narrow, depending on the intention or the capacity of the one making the path. It is usually created by an external force that digs, with plow or wind or water, through the nature to make a specific corridor where strangers (to that nature) can penetrate the space, without ever merging with it. A path might remain visible for anyone to see among the green fields, and can sometimes get lost in the movement of high wheat fields, only allowing the walker to see few meters ahead and not preoccupied in advance of what the end of the path beholds.

Image source : Picjumbo

While a path will never force anyone to walk, it offers the walker a space and direction to do so.

“I will bring the blind by a way that they don't know. I will lead them in paths that they don't know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13

Paths are often represented straight or meandering, and sometimes divided into several paths at a crossroads. A path opens horizons, stretching in front of us, expanding wide as far as the eyes can see, rarely finite.

As long, beautiful, stony, straight and uneasy they can get, paths remain paths.

Path /pɑːθ/

1. « a way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading. »

2. “the course or direction in which a person or thing is moving. »

3. “a course of action or way of achieving a specified result. »

While a path is established before one can move through it, it gathers all its meaning through the eyes of the one who decides to engage on it.

We all have a path, we might know some of its checkpoints, or expected checkpoints, have a plan on how to engage on it, and the speed we want to use. Some might know or believe in Who made the path, others might prefer to consider it a Force of Nature or Skies.

Either way, it is expected from each of us to walk a path, run through it or even crawl. Going forward and sometimes backward. Stumbling on rocks or on our own untied shoelace. Making pauses or questioning the best way to take at crossroads. But one needs to continue moving inevitably forward towards the unknown termini.

What you will take with you on that journey will either help you move forward, move faster, or slow you down and even derail you from the path. Because the path is laid down for you to use, but it does not attach anyone to keep moving or move straight.

While on that path, we must be conscious of the direction we are taking. Are we moving forward? Going backwards? Or Stagnant?

While on that path, we need to acknowledge that there are multiple paths that can be taken, by others and even by us. You might never know whether you took the best path, since you do not know where any of them leads.

The support we can get from Transcendental Power Sources, I call it God, are critical to avoid that we get so lost on our path that we forget who placed us there, and how our small and limited path positions with other paths (other possibilities for our action, or other people’s paths).

When we only look down on our path, then our life becomes a single shallow line in the meander of a complex maze, that we never get a chance to glance on. It is when we open our hearts and consciousness beyond our small path that we can get a glimpse on how we can play our partition in this complex maze of a world.

A path is a path. But a path can be the start of an incredible adventure, through woods and along rivers and mountains, it can cross other paths and offer options on where to next, hence diverting our way forever.

A path can take us to sorrows and doom. But does it? Because a path only leads who accepts to follow. However good or bad, a path will only show you “a” way, never force you into it.

So take courage, have faith in the Creator of the Path, stay alert and conscious, look at every crossroads as an opportunity to question your path, take opportunities to rest by the roadside, reflect, and take steps back when needed.

But never forget, we all have a Path to walk on.

Some might seem to have a raggedy walk, but that might be to avoid the stones on their path, which are not visible from afar.

Some have fallen, twisted their ankles, and can only walk certain paths. They choose their future paths based on consequences of their past paths.

When you understand that a path is only a path, then maybe you will take time to enjoy the view, let the animals, sometimes dangerous, cross and pursue your route. You will welcome and engage those walking on parallel paths for a time, and do not get weary when their path takes a turn away from you.

Above all, avoid all that can burden you or make your walk heavier with no added value. Grudges, hatred, anxiety or pre-occupation (being occupied by things that have not yet happened) will weigh you down.

A compass – Knowledge, Holy Book, Values, Principles, Love – will guide you through the Path.

At the end of the path, you might or not, understand it – Why this or that? – You might have chosen to like it or not. But the path will end, nevertheless. A dead end will only be so if you chose to let it die…