(this is where I walk to on some mornings)
"The difference between a path and a road is not only the obvious one.
A path is little more than a habit that comes with knowledge of a place. It is a sort of ritual of familiarity. As a form, it is a form of contact with a known landscape. It is not destructive. It is the perfect adaptation, through experience and familiarity, of movement to place; it obeys the natural contours; such obstacles as it meets it goes around."
-Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays
In these last few weeks I have been plodding with my feet on my usual path while at the same time searching with my eyes for The Highway. Earlier this summer my thinking was that I should be looking for a job. Then I made a decision to apply for entry into a juried art show. Neither idea is "panning out" and with both of those Trains of Thought I find myself still moving on foot power along this path I know better. What would I call this path? I read an interesting article about toast of all things and am left with this statement:
What is your useful skill in a tangible situation?
It grounds me.
This is why:
Because I know my useful skill.
Because I know my tangible situation.
That is Path.
Dear reader - we all have this same struggle - be encouraged on Your Path today.
9 comments:
Great food for thought. I'm mulling it over and probably will be for the rest of the day. Thanks.
Thank you for this -- I am reading it at exactly the right moment.
Interesting. For years I pondered this same question but I plodded along seeking the safe path. Now I am retired and slipping onto a rock looking for a new path with a new purpose. Wonder which way I'll turn.
Path is everything isn't it Kimmie. Thanks for reminding us to be mindful, even it the Path doesn't always present what we expect it to. xox
Have been working with some of the same questions...that's one of the blessings of the Artist's Way. The Morning Pages and the essays intersect with those questions, and help me make sense of the present, the past and the dreams of the future. Thank you for the encouraging words.
Wow I am more than slightly envious of the magnificent view you enjoy on your morning walks. Thanks for the food for thought. I think sometimes it's enough to be on the path, you don't always have to be rushing somewhere.
The path I thought I was on, committed to, dedicating my energy to, just ended at a dead stop, no up and over, no dig down under, just stop, this isn't the path.
Giving myself a little time to get over that, but with eyes and heart gazing upward. Maybe there are no paths when you fly ? Just a thought.
May clarity and purpose be yours, Kim ! <3
I love what Kim said. Things are a bit the same for me ... my current path has taken an upward turn on an incline too steep for me to climb. I'm either going to have to grow wings or find a new direction.
Thank you for the thinking prompt.
It is always special to view your take on things dear Kimmie.
May your path lead you to your heart's delight ♥
Happy October!
oxo
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