My most recent path has helped me to believe that I am a pragmatist and a planner, an optimist and mildly naive, and that sometimes I am an idealist. I have also learned that I am finally fearless, that I am a good person (in spite of sometimes being completely selfish), that I almost always look for the good in others and give them the benefit of the doubt. Most importantly, I have learned to recognize, in myself, qualities that I admire in others. That being said, there are always things about myself, and others, that surprise me and I don't expect to see. I never expected to see what I did...
The great thing about taking these "side roads" is that, since it is never planned, you very rarely have any set boundaries, or expectations, for yourself. It is these tangents where one can learn the most about oneself. Each day becomes a new discovery, and each night allows for the reflections of the day.
During the day, you are following the path, taking in every moment and wondering what will be around the next corner. The day dawns bright and hopeful, and all the optimism is there, laid out in front of you. You start walking, and you are travelling along, naturally looking for the smooth path, avoiding the holes and roots that can trip you up. However, sometimes the most interesting journeys are the ones with the most pitfalls! It's not that the path is rough or especially riddled with trip-ups, but even one "thing" can find you if you aren't looking! One must find the balance of taking in all the scenery around you, and keeping an eye on the path. Yet, each stumble causes you to watch a little more carefully, to recognize the signs of something coming up, and may cause you to miss something that would be sad to have missed - that is the risk, as there is risk in all things. There may be bruises from the falls, but they are simply reminders of what not to do! All little lessons.
And then there are the moments of dark uncertainty, when clouds roll in and you start to wonder who or what is going to rain on your parade. The trick is to not let the uncertainty and pessimism get the better of you. For one can never truly say, for certain, what is going to happen until it actually happens! And that is the greatest of lessons to be learnedl!! It is in the knowing that there isn't yet a finale, and it is this thought that will maintain the hope...this should be the epitome of hopeful. One of the most inspirational of moments is when you get through that cloud burst, and you see that there is sun shining down on you once again; your path is laid out, bright, clean and glistening in front of you. Perhaps a rainbow greets you in the sunshine to add some extra colour and act as a reminder that there may just be a pot 'o gold waiting for you.
Then the light starts to fade and it is time to find your resting place. But this is a welcome shadow as the day has been long, and sometimes arduous. You start to look forward to the chance to relax, to reflect on all that you have encountered - the good and the bad. As the sun starts to set, your eyes feel heavy and your body leans into the drowsiness of comforting exhaustion. Each minute brings you closer to that dream-full, deep sleep that will refresh your spirit. It is during these last moments of the day that you contemplate what the journey has brought you so far - not where it has brought you, but what you have seen, done, heard and felt. In the ever increasing softness of night, your heart calms and you allow yourself to have your own conversation in solitude. It doesn't matter what you speak of, only that you speak. More importantly though, you must listen; listen to your heart, for it will be the only part of you that will be awake enough to speak. Smile and be secure with the knowledge that your heart is prepared to carry you through the night, on that subconscious journey which will rejuvenate your body, and prepare it for the next day's continuation. Your heart will lead you down the road most traveled as you dream.
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