The Path of the Wayfarer
You take your first step toward the unknown. As you walk down the dirt path to the valley below, you notice that life along the trail is acting strangely. Purple and yellow wildflowers spring up among the blades of tall grass as you approach, fully bloom as you align with them, then wilt as you pass. It is a strange phenomenon, but in a way that feels symbolic of the path you’re on. You begin to understand that with each step you live a thousand lives, in each moment is the life and death of a universe around you.
This cycle of life moves through the four seasons as you head toward the forest. With the ending of spring, the grass in the meadow yellows and the air around you becomes hot and humid. As summer fades, the air becomes crisp with the first hint of the autumnal chill. The trees in the forest ahead change colors and their leaves fall. With the fallen leaves, the sky turns gray and snow begins to blanket the valley.
But spring comes again as you near the tree line, and summer soon follows. You reach the line of trees just as autumn begins. The red sun finally sets beyond the horizon so that your first steps within these woods are taken in darkness.
It’s unnerving, but what else is there to do but continue forward? Your persistence is rewarded by the appearance of tall iron lanterns that line each side of the path, lighting up the way. As you pass the lanterns, they dim and then slowly fade back into darkness behind you.
You’ve lost track of how long you’ve been walking when deep within the woods, you come to a fork in the road. Before you stands a wooden sign. Carved into the wood is this question:
Which path calls to you?
The Path to the Left
It’s a trail shrouded in darkness from the dense forest canopy. The branches hang over the trail.
You hear someone call for help. An instinct within pulls at you to take this path, to brave the dark trail and help whoever is in need.
Unmarked Path
You begin to turn toward the path to your right, but straight ahead, far beyond the wooden sign, something catches your eye.
Deep into the trees, you can just make out a pale green light. It is such a strange almost neon color that you are intrigued by it, drawn to it. Though this path isn’t marked by a physical trail, you know that it is still a path you might take.
The Path to the Right
You can see the gentle flickering of a campfire’s light and the smell of food cooking on the fire. The sound of people talking and laughing as they bask in each other’s company causes you to realize that this journey has been tiresome.
Few things sound better in this moment than to join what is clearly a very welcoming group, and perhaps find the belonging you’ve longed for.
Which path do you take?
Remember, this is not a choice between what path you think you would take, or hope you’re the kind of person to take. Don’t think. Close your eyes and let your instincts take the first step.
Does your sense of duty urge you to heed the calls for help and take the path to the left?
Does your curiosity and sense of adventure awaken the desire to let go of all worldly constraints and follow the pale green light?
Or do you accept and embrace the vulnerability in your heart and choose the path toward true belonging?