Pathwalking 23
The concept of Pathwalking has a lot of different definitions. What is means for me is not what it will mean for you, or him, or her, or anyone else.
The idea is that you choose a path that you want to choose. But an important aspect of this is that you can only choose for yourself. You cannot choose a path for anyone else.
For some people, the path that brings them ultimate contentedness and happiness is utterly simple. I imagine that for some people, the routine of get up/go to work/go home/spend time in front of the tv/go to bed/get up/repeat previous day IS their path. Just because it doesn’t strike me as a worthwhile path does not mean that it is not. So long as the person on this path CHOSE that path, and isn’t just going along in the routine due to the expectations of society/friends/family/etc, more power to them.
Just because I am choosing the path I wish to travel doesn’t mean that I judge others. I don’t look at those in their routines and judge them. I would like to help them see the world as I do, in this way…but I do not judge them for the life they lead. Judgment isn’t a part of Pathwalking.
Do you like when people judge you? I know I am not a fan. And certainly some look to this notion, this Pathwalking idea, and judge ME. Some of those people are close, some not so much. And maybe this is all a part of human nature…but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it, doesn’t mean we cannot try to change it.
I am not here to judge other people on their choices. My goal in writing these every week is to share a concept, an idea, and open up hearts and minds. There is so much out there available to us, so much potential – and I want to share my excitement about it.
We live in interesting times. Some see that as a curse, but I see it as a possibility. We have instant communications, information at our fingertips, and ideas can be shared around the world with the tapping of a key or two. Changes in the world are often swift now, far from gradual. The trouble here is that change, which is inevitable, invokes excitement in some, indifference in others, and for some outright fear.
One the reasons I choose this whole Pathwalking notion is because I don’t want to just wait for the world to have its way with me, let change just happen. I want to choose it. I want to choose my own destiny. I want to make my own fate. I want to be happy and content on my own terms.
I am focused on a path unique to me. I am working on going my own way, doing my own thing, because I have determined that life is too short to just go along with what happens. And my particular path is mine alone…and because of that, there are those who do not understand.
Don’t you think you should have a regular job? How do you make ends meet? Is that really a good idea, given the state of the economy? How do you know your business is viable? Do you really think you can make it as a writer? Don’t you think you’re acting irresponsibly by doing this? Do you think you are being wise with these choices? Why can’t you do the normal thing?
These are questions and comments I hear from different people, some of whom are rather close to me. These are also questions I sometimes ask myself, in moments of stress and doubt. I have bills to pay, and responsibilities to attend to. But I know if I let the doubt win, if I hang my head in defeat, I will always be stuck wondering “what if?”
Too long I looked to only the idea of walking my own path. There were times I felt I had no choice, and went where the winds took me. I spent a long time in that position, moving from routine job to routine job, finding no contentment in what I was doing. I realized that a leap of faith was required, and I have to take the chance.
It can be exhausting to walk this path. But I take a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that to live the life I want, and be the person I want to be, it is worth it. And I hope that if you are not on a path of your own choosing, you can find one to your satisfaction.
This is the twenty-third entry in my series. These weekly posts are specifically about walking along the path of life, and my desire to make a difference in this world along the way. Thank you for joining me.
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