Happy Trails

It has often been said that the journey of a lifetime begins with a single step.  So much truth lies in that statement. The vast potential of the future in front of us is filled with such uncertainty.  So many valleys and mountains stand before us. So many pitfalls and snares.  So many signs and maps to follow.  But which way?

After we begin with that first, seemingly simplistic step, we begin our movement in a direction. Where that leads to, one never really knows, because on the way there will be many diversions and re-directs, that our first direction may not be the final destination.  We can plot and plan to get from point A to point B…even going so far as to making a map of each and every step along the way, but guess what? Life happens!  When that does we go into contingency planning, looking for alternate routes.  Sometimes we steer away from the event and get back on path, other times we find ourselves heading for a new destination.

What about those that don’t have a scheduled itinerary?  The sojourners that drift from one sunset to another, looking at the path only long enough to settle for a different way to go?  Sometimes, there are the travellers who started with one map plotted out but found themselves changing plans mid-stream and going in a different direction. Perhaps the change was intentional, or perhaps was by incidence that drove them down a different road. Either way, start at A, heading for B, changed to a new course and going for C (or maybe D or E or whatever…).

Point is, sometimes you have to decide a new course. For some folks, such as myself, just making a decision is in-and-of-itself a journey!  Thus, even that “first step” to begin is a monumental task!  But, a decision must be made! Taking that step, then the next, and so on, gets us rolling down the path. For many, there are paths that have all sorts of signs that try to direct our momentum:  “Go this way, it is the best”; “You will find what you’re looking for, this way”; “Here is the right path”.  Many times, these paths are not necessarily the best or the right ones. They may not be in line with your initial plans.  Finding yourself on some of these “false” trails will only delay your journey.  They have also been attributed to destroying your venture all together.  It is with this scenario that we find ourselves researching the side roads of life just for the sheer necessity of survival!

All this generality of travels, journeys, life-paths, can fit into the smallest of situations or can cover your birth-to-death span of existence.  The heartache of all this is the deceitful signs and maps that are created by people.  You’ve seen them before, filled with all sorts of good ideas and thoughts, acting as if they have THE only answer to everything.  “We’re right and everyone else is wrong”.  “Our way is genuine and true”.  “We have the only correct map in life”.  Really?

I would have to say that with the billions of people on this planet, the billions of ideas, the billions of opinions, the billions of ‘experts’….you would think that all of life would have been solved by now!  But, guess what? It isn’t! Your political views are not necessarily the right ones! Your religious views could be and probably are wrong! I have yet to see someones’ philosophy and psychology be 100 percent guaranteed absolutely accurate!  Do you wonder why there is so much conflict, violence, and frustration in the world? Everyone thinks they are right, everyone else is wrong, and if you don’t like my being right, then there’s gonna be some friction!

Really? C’mon people….it’s time to stop and smell the reality here!  The only absolute in this universe that we are travelling in is change.  Change is the once constant that has not stopped.  Politics change and evolve.  Religions change and evolve (yes, even the big 3!).  Social ideology is in a constant flux.  So, why all the violence? Why the constant conflict? Why are you pushing your agenda, ways, thoughts, ideology down my throat and telling me you’re right and everyone else is wrong?  More people have died violently because of religious conflict than any other reason. Why? Is it because group A thinks that they are right and everyone else is wrong?  Political turmoil has destroyed governments because everyone has to take an extreme side and not move an inch. Why? Is it because this party has all the answers and the other side doesn’t?  Again……Really?

Despite the natural universe having to adapt to this constant human destruction caused by in-fighting,  nature all around us seems to manage to coexist just fine. Interesting!  Everything outside of humanity has operated on a cooperation level that we seem to often miss.  The beauty of our universe, from outer space to the smallest of mass all resonating their signature energy, chiming in harmony with the rest of nature.  The raindrops that’s fall into a pond, causing ripples of waves outward, which in turn moves a shoreline, watering the soil that’s feeding the trees which produce the life-giving gas oxygen. All in harmony.

We are part of this nature, whether we follow a religious creed, adhere to philosophical teachings, or just wanting to drift in our journey whichever way the wind blows us.  As part of this journey, we do need to watch for the bad signs, avoid the wrong paths, and most of all, avoid the damaging things along the way.  There is nothing that says that you cannot hold certain ideas and beliefs close to your heart. But when it engulfs you to the point of destructive friction, maybe it is time to re-evaluate things. Everyone’s view is that their way is a peaceful way.  Their way is a helpful way.  History seems to show differently.  Please stop along the roadway you are on and give yourself some one-on-one time with nature around you.  Stop and listen.  What purpose could those paths have if all they cause is dissension in the world around us?

Common Sense says that peace within creates peace throughout.  We all know that this voyage we are on could use a lot less stress!

Peace on your journey!

Cannon