Following Your Path
This picture begs the question, "where does this path go?" Then, you personalize it with your own larger questions of life like, "what path am I to follow?" and, "am I on the right road?" and lastly, "how will I know I have chosen the right road?" Is that answered by the degree of our happiness? And if so, how do we measure that?
These are things I think we have all asked ourselves. They could be called, "Universal Reflections". I posed some of these questions and possible answers in a post called, "Looking to My Inukshuks". (June 9th) I still wonder about a lot of this.
What do we do when we are at a Crossroad? What can help us with our options and ultimate choices? Some people say to look for signs along the road. Many say they actually hear voices that help guide them. Are they Guardian Spirits? Is it God, Jesus or whomever they believe is their Creator? How do they know these signs are real and are to be followed? What if they quite determinedly do not follow the advice given? What if we do not see, hear, recognize or understand the signs? Do we wait for Epiphanies? If nothing appears, how long do we wait before we take some form of action on our own?
How do you answer any of these?
Mother of Invention, with just a few of my many perpetual ponderings!
posted by Mother of Invention at 9:18 AM
30 Comments:
I am about even on good & bad decisions in this regard.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
I love the way the path in the photo just slightly curves. I usually know in my gut which way to go...once I've made the decision the way usually opens up and I tend not to question the initial instinct. It doesn't ALWAYS work, but I can count on it most times.
Ps We grew up near a cemetery and used to put the green flower tubes on our fingers for long witch nails!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
The wide view lense seems to work best for me. If I am responding well to a decision internally and it is reflected in my external world, it feels like Right Action. Everything filters through my ethical system, of course. If it violates that, I ain't gonna do it.
If I make a choice based on fear or impulsively, it is nearly always wrong.
Beautiful picture anyway. :)
Thailand Gal
~*~*~*
Saturday, October 21, 2006
I love to explore paths that have an unknown destination. The intrigue and mystery will always pull me off the beaten path. Unfortunately sometimes it goes uphill...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Old Lady:
Not bad results..6 of 1 and 1/2 dozen of the other. Do you go by gut or do you actively try to look for signs or help of what to do?
Colleen:
Me too..I love how your eye follows it and your mind wonders at all the possibilities of what might be around the curve.
Neat way to make a decision. They just blend together, kind of like the idea of self-fulfilling prohecy but always in a good way with a positive outcome.
What an ingenious use of those flower holders! I know them exactly!
Thailand Gal: An interesting way to make decisions and your sign is how your feel about them afterwards. I wonder what types of signs or things you'd see reflected in your outer world?
Thanks for your first visit!
Barbara: You are an adventurer! But sometimes following certain paths become a struggle uphill, you're right. Maybe there's no way to avoid this except just to take the path and see what happens. You can always come back down!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Because I hate change, the universe usually has to hit me on the head with a 2 x 4 before I wake up and realize it's tiime to move on to the next thing. The way usually opens up in unexpected ways and I am forced out and into something new. I know when I'm swimming upstream against the current, because nothing works out. I tend to go with the flow these days. I also beleive there are no bad decisions. We learn from every thing.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Stephen:
I am much the same way in that I don't opt for change by choice unless I know definitely that it will be good and make me happier. (I'm not a risk taker and have fear of the unknown!) I listen to a lot of people close to me (usually my husband, 2 older sisters, and some friends, and if they all echo the same thoughts, then I tend to see things more clearly. Guess I must totally trust them. I take a lot of time to do this though, so sometimes decisions could have been made earlier.
I hate swimming upstream! It stresses me and I get very frustrated and unhappy...and definitely not fun to live with!
I agree, albeit a bit guardedly,that there are no bad decisions because we learn from everything we do, but I'd rather not hurt anyone else or myself (healthwise, emotionally etc.) in the process. There are some situations where we don't have a second chance to learn from the situation, and we may have lost something important forever..no going back. My dad has always said, "You never walk by an open door twice" and I think this is true most often.
Thanks, Stephen.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
I am constantly asking myself these questions, and my path is constantly shifting. I always used to just go with my gut, but since I've had kids I spend a bit more time pondering whether my decision is good for THEM before I act. I'm never really sure if I've made the right decision, and spend tons of time play the "what if I had...instead" game.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Teri:
Thanks for commenting!
Yes, not having had kids, I don't have to think about them, just my husband's and my health/happiness.
It must be hard to have to make kids a priority and do most things without being in the least bit selfish. You sound like you've done that well.
There are a lot of "what ifs" in this life that would have changed our paths hugely. But sometimes it's of no consequence since you can't always reverse the decisions or go backwards to a crossroad.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Mother-Mostly gut, because it has proven true in most areas of my life.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
The correct path for me can be one of many different paths. Sometimes i change the direction on my own, sometimes life changes it for me. If it is wrong, i learn from it and change it again. Trying to live without fear, knowing that few changes have to be permanent.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Old Lady:
Yeah, I suppose we all have a fair bit of that. There are times when I'm a little slow to interpret the language of my gut! (Why can't I ever get on your blog lately! It keeps on saying This page can not be displayed! ARGH!! I've tried a lot! Catch it soon, I hope.)
Meno: Yes, that's good to remember, that not all changes have to be permanent. Maybe you can sometimes rectify most poor decisions. I like when you say life sometimes changes my path for me..so true...but I guess if you wait too long for that to happen, and sit and do nothing,that might not be too cool either. Thanks.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
My husband and I feel that since we've been together, things go in the direction they're supposed to. This odd phenomenon of us belonging together in a way. It just seems that when something isn't the right direction, it doesn't work out. Or we get this gut feeling, it's just not right. And then, when the right thing comes along a little later, the universe sets itself all aright and we look at each other and say, see? that's why that other option didn't work out!
Though I think works for me alone I just never recognized it before him.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sometimes the trail we are on is marked, other times we have to go back, and there are paths we choose not to go down that have signs we never see saying "no longer an option".
Monday, October 23, 2006
Funny that you should mention sometimes wanting someone to share the experience with. I thought about that while I was hiking and realized that more often than not, I simply wanted someone there to verify the experience. More often than not, depending upon your partner, it is never quite enough, or at times too much sharing, or worse when there is conflict about what constitutes a "northern lights" moment. These days, I'm much happier doing my own thing and sharing the experience afterwards with video or photographs. That way, I don't have to disrupt my "moment" with someone else's.
Am I missing something?
Monday, October 23, 2006
Maggie: That IS very unique and interesting! Never thought of that, but it does work that way a bit for us too. 32 years together, you are kind of joined at the hip type of thing. In synch. but we have our own separate life decisions to make as well. Thanks!
Steve: I am more comfortable with the marked trails! It is disappointing when you decide something too late, go back, and the trail is closed. Thanks.
Stephen:
"Verify the experience"...Yes, exactly. It sometimes seems so incredible you wonder if you are seeing things! I like how you say "it's never quite enough or maybe too much sharing". I can understand this but it is not my truth. It is yours, though, so you are not missing anything at all. For you, it is right. I can see that it wouldn't feel as great if there was conflict with a partner. This would take away the impact of a beautiful moment hugely.
Most of the time, the person I'm with agrees totally that it is a "northern lights moment". And that doesn't mean it's always the same person. My husband can't totally feel as I do on musical moments, and I can't feel his thrill of the cross-country ski moments he has.
Monday, October 23, 2006
I don't think you could have found a better path to walk along to find an answer. Kilroy wishes he could help, but has been wrestling with a few too many questions of late.
Thanks much for your contribution to the Commentathon.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Kilroy:
My path has been pretty good so far! There are always many questions to wrestle with...well, at least ponder.
You're welcome to the comments. You've had many so I'm glad you won't be disappointed.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Wouldn't we all like to know how to move forward with our lives.
Far too many of us keep waiting for that sign, that epiphany which signals and affirms our path. However, I find, at least in my life, epiphanies are rare.
In some way, perhaps we get saddled down and burdened with the trappings and comforts of our lives and find it difficult to move in another direction. Is it momentum or reluctance to lose what we have?
In my case, it is to lose what I have. It has taken a lot of work to get to where I am. I enjoy a well paying job with excellent benefits, little stress, but much unfulfillment. If I give this up, will I ever be able to recover it? Do I want to work as hard as I have to try and recover it if I throw it all away?
On the other hand, Sofia is very clear on what she wants: a well paying job with good perks and prestige (she works for the UN) and she expects her husband to do the same. Two people with good jobs living a fairly comfortable life. On the other hand, I want, and always have wanted to be independent – to do my own thing. The problem is that I recognize I have nowhere near the self marketing chutzpah needed to do so. I don’t understand how people work. I expect people to be rational and make decisions based on reason, not hype and emotion. Sell me the steak, not the sizzle.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Eventhough I am one of the internet's wandering Spiritualists, I would not say I listen to the wispers of spirit at the crossroads.
Years ago I would teach spiritual meditation and healing every Friday night to members of the temple.
At that time it became aparent to me and the group that self-awareness is the key to being able to develope the ability to know there is a fork in the path of life and a choice has to be made.
Once that became aparent to the group I taught, we decided to make a medatative work on self, plus one for healing and mediunship part of our regular Friday night routine.
Now it is very possible that we all got spirit messeges that we needed to work on Self collectively one Friday night, but I think we just became more in tune with the pulse of progression through our work.
I truely believe that if you always work toward knowing your SELF, the path will unfold before you.
At this time at this age do I feel that I am making good choices?
Yes.......and that part takes a little bit of faith. Faith that I know my self enough, that my inner self will burp up a question in my mind, if the big picture is not available to me yet.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Mother of Invention - You seem to kick yourself because you take so long to make a desicion, and because you don't have confidence in yourself to do so.
Maybe the reason you take so long is to be sure the desicion is right? But, the point is, you do make it (eventually! :-)) - you make it happen.
And, about your trust in those who you ask advice - did it occur to you that part of the reason you go to them for advice is that they like to be there for you, and help you? So, maybe you are helping them reaffirm themselves at the same time as getting reaffirmation for your own decisions... just a thought.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Richard: You're probably right. I've never had sudden signs or epiphanies. I always deliberate and think a lot (probably too much!) about decisions on what I should do and where I should be in life.
Some people would call it reluctance to move into something different which could be bad,momentum is not necessarily bad either, if it feels right, good or comfortable to stay in one spot. If you know your spot and are happy with it, then you are lucky.
You actually sound like you feel a bit stuck at times. Too bad your job didn't really challenge and captivate your interest. (What exactly do you do? Something with computers in the government?) Sounds like you would risk security and maybe $$ if you gave it up, but you never know when something equal, yet more enticing will come up. Guess it doesn't hurt to look on the side.
Guess it costs more to have 2 places also.
The perfect balance between rational, black and white clear thinking and that ruled by emotion and the heart is very hard to attain, but I think it is the way to aspire to be.
Lynn: It takes many of us a lifetime to achieve Self-Awareness but working towards it would certainly help us know which paths are riht for us to choose. The course you taught sounds excellent for anyone.
Sometimes we can't fully recognize ourselves from within, and someone on the outside can see us more clearly.
For me, my life events, (mostly health) have made my path more clear, or at least stremlined the choices.
Thanks, Lynn.
Quiet Kid: Me too! You're welcome. Keep blogging. Found you through Annelisa.
Annelisa: Yes, I'm slow to make decisions because I want to do the right thing for me or else I pay in unhappiness. It is a rewarding thing for both me and my advisors so I expect you are right about that. That is the role they like to play and are used to it. (I'm the youngest of 3 girls! Little sister syndrome rings true!) Thanks!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
For the past 6 years, I have worked in the defense industry. The 5 years prior to that, in the medical industry. Then there was university. Still travellin gbackwards, I worked with consumer electronics and earlier still, I was in telephone communications systems.
If I change jobs, it must be to a new and different field. Most people I know, stick with one field all their lives. I need change. I also need security and stability. I am a basket case :-)
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Richard: You ask for something difficult to find; security and change! Often they are at odds but it seems like it's working for you so far. You're not a basketcase by any stretch! You have an active and high level of intelligence which need to be challenged. By the average # of years at these jobs, is it time for a change-up soon? Which one was the most rewarding and which were you most passionate about?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Would someone enlighten the e-mail/internet not with it Mother of Invention as to what :-)) means? I really don't know!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
I think :-)) is really a smiley :-) with a closing parenthesis.
Alternatively, it could be a smiley with a double chin.
I cannot claim to have ever fully enjoyed a job. I have enjoyed different aspects: freedom (consumer electronics), meaningful work (medical), money and benefits (defense). But I have never enjoyed all 3 or even 2 out of 3 in any given job.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Richard: Thanks..I'm always the last one to get onto these things! Not that I'll ever use it!
Double chin may be what it is! Ha! (Your sense of humour sometimes slips past since there are no !! marks!!! That key is worn on my computer!:-)add 1 chin
Yikes, what was I supposed to put after the "n"?! The computer savvy just shake their heads at me until their chinchin are loosely flapping!
It is rare to love everything about a job, but for me, teaching has come close...more in the beginning..now there is way too much stress and accountability to too many, a million directions to fly off into, report card BS, unreasonable admin. etc.....I just always wanted to be with the kids and make learning fun. I'm not sure if I can ever immerse myself in it again.....but this week, I've loved going over 3 different times just for 1 1/2 hours to teach poetry! The kids loved it, were well-behaved, and I got to walk out of there feeling great with none of the other junk hanging over my head.
I don't imagine many people have to take a lot of work home with them.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
My sense of humour is described as very dry, to the point of being arid.
I accept that nothing is perfect, and sometimes wonder if I am being selfish in wanting more pleasurable experiences. There are things that need to be done and should be done. However, when a job is done, then why do we have to keep working? I find so much of work is not about doing work, but making work.
I like to use the analogy of a community building homes. Everybody pitches in and builds homes for everyone. After the homes are built, what does the community do? Relax and enjoy the free time? Probably not, they will likely embark on make work programs - since idle hands are the Devil's tools.
One of the saddest things I hear from people, when I say that if I could I would prefer not to work (usually comes up when discussing what would you do if you won the 6/49?), is., "But what would you do? There is only so much TV you can watch." I am always amazed by how many people don't seem to have anything to truly occupy them when they are not working. There is so much we can do to enrich and enhance ourselves and our world and yet people don't see it.
Where I work is a good place. The nominal work hours are 37.5 per week. This is in sharp contrast to my last employer, where long hours were expected. In fact, my last manager had called everyone in to his office and said, "I expect you to work a minimum of 50-60 hours per week; more if necessary. You are not being paid more than others because you are better; you are being paid more because you are expected to work more." The whole engineering staff turned over in less than a year following that rousing speech. I came to this job with a 20% pay increase to boot (so much for the supposed good pay).
I think too many people confuse activity with work. Moving around and expending energy is not the same as actually accomplishing something.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Richard:
AKA, The Desert Humour!
You're not being selfish. There is far more to life than constant work. It's better to be balanced and have an enriched diverse life.
Total immersion jobs are only for certainpeople.
"Make work projects" are what government jobs seem to be all about often. (Well, not all..in teaching it is a lot of work, but the rest, come to think of it, is imposed on us from the Ministry for no good reason! Except they want to make us "work" for our money and holidays. This work is often senseless and takes away our energy for what we should be using it for...the kids! And it adds to stress and frustration. So I can see why it is frustrating for you in your situation.
I can see why you left your last job!
"Shuffling papers" comes to mind to describe "activity" under the guise of work!
Yes, there are tons of things to do in "Life Beyond Work"!!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Private industry is just as good at make work projects. Most time in the private sector is actually spent waiting around for something to do. There are meetings of all sorts, details to work out, but then comes crunch time when all the work needs to be done and finished. Usually, from the outset of the vision until its completion, there is plenty of time, but, usually, too much time is wasted up front and then the work is rushed at the end. Following the crunch is a lull because no one has had time to plan ahead - then you get the make work, shuffle papers type of tasks.
Friday, October 27, 2006
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