Trail of Life
(written spontaneously and published without adequate proofing from March 21st 2018, placed here today without much edits)
I have always wondered what I must share with my daughters as to what my takeaway is or what my overall view of the world as of today is, i.e. my complete understanding of it over time - to date summarized. And of course, provide this in a simple message, or at least that’s the idea. I am not too gifted to sum it up in a sentence / maybe I will try to focus a bit on word count and choice thereof another day. I realize that this summary will be influenced both by my current view of the world which could be shaped by my near and distant past, nonetheless I want to try. And at least it aligns with my desire to live each as day as though it was my last, so I live it in full. So here goes…
First, each of our journey is ours and ours alone, we may be impressed by other lives, and choose aspects or perhaps ways to adhere to others, but never forget it’s your choice or your choices that shape you. Own it and Drive it.
Second, you may hate the analogy here but, though we are not primitive beings in jungles, the world for most part is still untamed in most ways, and so are most of people’s hearts and minds, from all walks of life. Life in much ways is like as though one traverses through an unpaved winding trail in a dense forest, in this journey; you need to plan the basics and be prepared for the basic elements of risk and safety. Yet it’s the best adventure you are bound to have, yes there are thorns and poisonous reptiles that could be lurking anywhere but there are also the most beautiful and visually vibrant song birds that sing melodies to the soul that you wouldn’t want to miss. As you go through your trail, you will come across dwellers who have stopped or made home somewhere in the forest. They will speak to you only from where they are and it may be what you don’t know yet, but remember they are no different than you and its irrelevant if they were there before you or behind you. It’s still only your journey. Enjoy the sunshine through the tall trees and find the safest tree to shelter from the storms.
Third, I actually heard this on discovery channel, the bare feet guy said it and it aligns with the theme I am working off of above, essentially the wisdom is this “the more you know the less you need” Every path you take in your journey and yes there will be many cross roads or cross trails in our case, the more informed you are the better your chance of success or survival in the trail you choose to take. And one thing and perhaps the most important aspect is this — learn about the players or the animals you may encounter beforehand. And the more you know, the less you will need to empower (equip) yourself with. And trust me the trail is arduous and long, the less you will have to carry emotionally, mentally and physically the better. And if you can be ready for the situations you may face, the better you will be in facing that situation.
Some before have coined the phrase “prepare for the worst and hope for the best”. In all honesty this strategy fails you utterly in practice as I have tried it, once you start preparing for the worst trust me there is no stopping until your mental preparedness exceeds or meets death of everything and everyone in every order and ways imaginable what good is that, and how in the world is it to give you any hope at all. It doesn’t work. Hope is one of the most important elements of life and survival. Stay Positive and Hopeful.
Lastly, there is an inner awareness you have to carry with you all the time in your trail, it may translate as many virtues in you and it is the understanding of oneself and understanding of others in situations or circumstances. Because to a great extent we are creatures of our circumstances and those who possess great Will and Grit; to them circumstances become creatures of their doing. This awareness will lend to forgiveness, empathy, and also prevention of unsafe situations. But I will leave it up to you to determine whether you want self-first or selflessness first, and I can tell you couple of things on that front as well — the universal default including “gravity” is self-first and I have placed one of the two first in different circumstances in my life , both choices are great and both choices suck one way or the other when in excess. The only relief is in knowing this truth in most circumstances. But don’t ever get tired of selflessness and give up on it completely, because the world will test you in it and if you stop being selfless completely then your humanity is lost. You are lost. And at the same time, don’t lose your choices either by being all super selfless. You are not god incarnate. Pain and suffering is real in this life, don’t wish it upon yourself and on others unless to defend your own.
Anyway, the point about the inner awareness is simply this as you adventure through your trail you will encounter a variety of creatures that dwell in various settings, some pleasing and some not so much. The realization is this; those that you encounter in your trail they are very much creatures of their circumstances, they are for the most part surviving and have learned the ways presented to them to continue to survive in their circumstances. It’s often survival that’s making them do what they do often, whether it’s the reptile or the singing colorful bird we talked about, they are doing what they do for a reason to be alive which they have found to work or have gotten programmed to doing. Rest is all just details. In the end, never fail to look at the blue sky or the stars at night they never lie and always smile. Dad loves you : )
