Clearing my Path
In the midst of packing (we’re nearing the finish line, and I still have lots to do), I decided I needed a break. Packing is really tiring, more mentally than physically. Am I taking this with me? What else will fit into this box? I don’t need this anymore. Can I find someone to take it? Did I wrap things well enough so that they won’t break? What can I do without for these last few weeks?
For many months, things that would be part of my regular routine are taking a back seat. And those are the things that make me happy. Packing is not a happy activity. Moving, yes, I can’t wait for our new life. But with it comes the bittersweetness of saying goodbye to our old life.
The other day, I had it with packing. “I need a break,” I thought. So, I set out to walk in our woods with my dog. The woods on the side of our house are not large. A couple of years ago, I made a path through them, starting at the back of our yard, into the woods along the stone walls, and up to the barn. It takes about 2-3 minutes to walk the path. But it brings you through a part of the land that is pretty much left alone and wild, except for this little path.
As I searched for the path that was now buried under the leaves, I decided that I wanted to clear it again. My mind asked, “Is that a wise use of your time?” And I answered back, “No, but it’s what I want to do right now. Plus, it will be a gift to the next owners.” It took me about an hour of raking to clear off all the leaves. And, besides my mind needing this break, my body felt pretty good about it, too. I think I released a bit of stress with that little activity.
So now I’m back to packing and thinking about what’s next. I’ve had lots of thoughts swirling in my head about the path(s) we take in life. Not everybody follows the same path. I could have made that path go into a different part of the woods. And I still would have gotten from one end to the other, just via a different way, but with the same outcome.
I think we are born with a path to follow, and sometimes, it takes us a while to find it. Sometimes, we take the wrong path and have to turn around. Sometimes, we take the longer path. Occasionally, we join up with a different path for a while and then veer off again. I feel like I’ve finally stepped onto the path I am meant to be on. But I can only see a little ways ahead, and I’m excited to learn what is around the bend.
When I was younger, I used to escape to the forest across the street from us when I needed to think. I would let forest lead me down her paths until I came to a spot that spoke to me, where I would sit and just be for a while. I miss that girl and her willingness to trust and be led by intuition/instinct. And I’m here again, stepping out in faith, trusting that I will be led down the paths that speak to me.
I’ll see you again next month. No blog articles this month. Only packed boxes.
This is a photo of my path, but it’s a still from a video, so excuse the blur.