The Path

          The path in life we follow is connected and braided with the paths of our family, friends and loved ones. Its like a DNA chain, only made up of all the things we've ever done. Time is woven into our path almost like building blocks. Each day you wake up is another step along your path. When you were young, your parents might have told you to follow one path as your friends said take another. And so the choices you make influence the direction your path takes, in turn affecting the braid with your loved ones path. A look at some old pictures is a great way to realize your path changes. As our friends or family change, we notice changes in them but not ourselves. Look at yourself and think about where you were going in life when the picture was taken. So, did you arrive yet? Our path in life is affected by how we think, feel and act. Some change direction and go to amazing places in life. Some go to prison. Some are always running. Some don’t seem to go anywhere. There are some in life who take leaps of faith, and others who cross bridges. And some just close the gap. It's your path. Our paths have crossed in sorts, as you read these words. Connections are memories, and memories are connections. It's simple.

          If two people are friends, the braid is simple with gentle turns and space in between. A gathering of friends is a major intersection in the path of life.  If two share love, the braid becomes tight. Friendship can bring two together, and love can keep them together. A long relationship is simple and tight. Shorter ones are much more complex. If two may part, the braid is no more, and the paths take different directions. No matter where life takes you,  it's between these braids of love we travel alone. The timeless power of love that brought our parents together starts this journey called life. Love and desire can draw paths together and nothing can stop its creation, but we control its end. Your child's path started the day they were born, and the parents will always be connected to each other by the path of the child(ren). No matter how you see the path of your ex, you are still connected. If your true intention is to light the path your children follow, chances are you can "get along" with your ex. By the way, to realize this you must overcome such things as anger(and sometimes rage), fear, jealousy, loneliness, and even hatred. The weight of a broken heart can blind or distort the view of your real intention. Compassion, understanding and forgiveness are required, and all together total the ability to let go of the crap you cant go back and change anyway. You do not walk straight on your path, if your focus is in the past. Some paths take such different directions, it's nearly impossible to parent. It sounds so easy at first, but it is nothing easy by any means. For some reason, there are people who feel that to hate is easier than to just not care. Really, the worst thing you can do to someone is forget about them. A passionate hatred is still a relationship.

        You really should try to let it go, is what a good friend would say. Love may not always listen like friends. Your friends were always in your path, before love was woven in. Before it became to tight, or broken. The path in life has many bridges. If you stop and look at the water, it's like a memory. Some flow gently, some are rapids. Tears can never bring back the things that passed under the bridge. And when that good friend says "just let it go", it's because it's already gone. And "you should just move on", means you should stop looking at the water, and move on along the path.

        Our view behind us are memories of where we've been, and our view in front of us are of a place we wish to go. We take steps on our path only in the present. You cannot change where you've been, and you can never just wish yourself into a future that actually becomes reality. You can only take the right steps today. We all woke up this morning, and together we are all taking steps this day along different paths. We're all going to the same place. That place is a wonderful place called tomorrow where anything can happen. If you let the past go, and stop worrying about the future, you can find the right steps to take today.


A work in progress
For all my friends along this path...we walk together.
Copyright 2012
Archie Papa