Pathwalking 66
Is there anyone who does not want freedom in their lives?
Don’t we all want to be free? Free to do what we want, free to live how we want, free to explore this world and love and laugh and find peace and happiness? Doesn’t nearly everything we choose have to do with having freedom?
Pathwalking is an expression of freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom from oppression and a dull, pointless existence – freedom is part of why I want to choose my own path.
What exactly does freedom mean? Well for that, let’s turn to dictionary.com:
free·dom (noun)
1.the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.
2.exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3.the power to determine action without restraint.
4.political or national independence.
5.personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom.
A lack of physical restraint, exemption from external interference, power to determine action, personal liberty – it all sounds like the reason for Pathwalking to me!
I need to state, once again, that if being a cog in the machine makes you content, satisfied and happy with your life- that’s great! If this choice brings you what you want out of life, then I could not be happier for you. Pathwalking is different for everyone.
For me it’s more dramatic than that. I do not do well as a drone in an office, I am not good at working under an oppressive, number-crunching micro-managed system. That’s not my path, but I certainly cannot deny it could well be anyone else’s.
I need to feel free. I need to be free to choose as I would choose, live as I want to live, find love and happiness according to my thoughts and plans. And what works for me is not going to work for anyone else. And that’s perfectly ok.
Please take note – freedom is NOT choosing to do NOTHING. Freedom does not come easily, it takes considerable time and work. Freedom is not about a lack of work and contribution, and that is the mistake many people make. Freedom is about choice.
What for me is freedom for another is chaos. What I see as constraining others are going to see as open. These things are completely and totally subjective, and no two paths are alike.
So how can Pathwalking be for everyone? Simple – it’s about choice. Pathwalking is about choosing my own way to get out of life what I want. This is my means to the ends, and my choice of paths to learn all I can every day.
As similar as the days can be, no two days are ever alike. Pathwalking is about not getting caught up in the hum-drum sameness of the days, but to see and experience what makes them all unique. Pathwalking is learning new things, experiencing similar things in different ways, and discovering the joy and love and happiness of not just the goal at the end, but the journey along the way.
That is why Pathwalking is an expression of freedom. I make the choices, I am able to express myself, share my ideas, and walk the paths I choose. This life is not the makings of some other – it is mine and mine alone to experience, whether I choose to share that or not. My path is not yours, and your path is not mine, but that does not mean we cannot travel together.
Does Pathwalking help you feel free?
This is the sixty-sixth 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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