Life is not a destination, but a journey; yet, every journey begins with a clear objective reflecting at the end. The end culminates as an achievement, success, or simply an end. Ends can be negative or positive, or, more importantly, beginnings. How, one might ask, does an end constitute a beginning? The answer comes in the form of the journey itself.
Despite our destinations and how they vary from others, every journey gains momentum with the same energy: a spiritual leap of faith. Consider these ideas:
**Working(16) hours a day @ one’s job will result in a raise and promotion.
**Getting accepted into law school, or med school, or secretarial school will result in occupational “success.”
**Giving enough of one’s self without condition and loving with a pure heart will reap the same.
All of these ideas are plausible, with each end possible. The reality, however, is we don’t know how it will conclude, or even that we’ll want it when we get there! Instead, we move forward on the faith that moving is better than being stagnant, and changing is better than regret.
My journey began in an open field. From the time my thick little legs could balance me, I ran full-throttle across the field into the unknown. Speculation, estimation, and consequence were overridden by determination and “knowing.” As the years passed and the cynicism of the world wept into my skin through to my heart, I noticed the horizon shift. I found myself pushing as hard, working as hard, believing as much, and giving as much, but my energy and progress became noticeably less. The horizon that was once flat became rutted. The open field combined with the damp, destructive force of cynicism began to saturate the earth below my feet. The green grass and trees mutated into thick brush, impenetrable at times, but never impassable. The change in atmosphere coupled with the change in terrain brought with it significant negative energy. There have been times as I’ve waded through the thorns, bristles, and muck that the clarity I was seeking shown as a glint amongst the branches. At these moments I saw that to pass this “final” obstacle would take me to an opportunity. This opportunity would soon pattern with the obstacle, emerging at critical moments when change was not only imminent, but necessary. I have come to call this convergence of patterning crossroads.
Crossroads are interesting. They serve as significant indicators. They are also unpredictable. You see, there is no guide at the crossroads. At times, the “obvious” is contrary to the original destination. Yet, every crossroads bears a profound influence. I do wish they came with a pondering bench and travel brochures. Instead, you are challenged with the unknown. This above all invokes fear and can stall even the most stealth and formidable of travelers.
Today, I find myself at a life-altering, irrevocable crossroads. To take it means I leave my present life behind. Oddly, I feel as though on this crossroads I’ve already been. The path I last chose had me leaving where I am again headed, hurting people I love the second time around as I did the first. The difference is this time I see the path…I see the path. I must continue my journey with lessons learned. I know this path will again diverge. I only hope, as the poem declares, to “take the one less traveled on.” I search for growth and knowledge and must not wait for it to find me. Otherwise, I will forever be lost as I know today where it awaits…I see the glint shining strong. MP
