Choosing Our Paths

 Which Path?


First time walking on this lake path since the big snow.

Sun shining,  breezes warm, and white drifts almost gone.

Good to stretch my muscles along this graveled public way.


Further along, things become mushy and muddy.

I begin walking on the grass beside the path,

an intentional divergence from the expected route.


And then even the side gets muddy and I am about to turn around.

But as I turn, I notice a small unobtrusive path leading off to the right

angling uphill. No sign, nothing to give a clue about the destination.


Am I adventurous enough to try it? Striking out on my own, off the proper way? 

Yes, I decide, urged on by a sense of curiosity and independence, 

I will take this path, choosing the unknown, the unexpected, ready for discovery. 


Up the winding trail I go, around a corner, through clumps of trees, and finally

I’m circling a second lake until eventually the path leads to a paved street. 

That’s enough for me, I think, and I turn around to head back.


Interesting that I feel more energized, more hopeful as I head to my car, happy and smiling. 

I’d walked further than I’d intended, so it is surprising to find that I’m not tired. 

I braved the unknown, veered off the accepted path, chose to go my own way. 


Is this a lesson, I wonder? I could encourage myself to go off the main path

in more things than a hike in the park. I could pay more attention to what 

my personal thoughts are. Not caving to societal expectations. Trusting my own instincts.

It’s worth a try.


NF 2/25/25

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