The Journey of Live, Which Path is Yours?

One of the most satisfying discoveries of life is finding the uniqueness of who you are. There is nothing more suffocating, than a close friend, relative, or spouse, that insists they ‘know you more than you know yourself.' How can anyone possibly know you so deeply, intensely, or intricately that they can claim that god-like knowledge?

Sadly, there are many people that place themselves at a disadvantage in life. They allow someone else to form their journey, pave their path, and point their way. I am not talking about a professional counselor, and certainly not demeaning the people whose opinions you ask as their love for you helps to sort through your feelings. Too often, however, there are the devourers whom are out to steal your joy, your heart and soul, your pathway, knowingly or unknowingly, because their agenda is not your own.

For instance, if you were to ask a tremendously conservative person which lane you should take regarding a pressing issue, they may very well stifle your road in the journey of life, because they have no ability to venture past their own narrow alleyway, and thus assume you too would not be comfortable to voyage beyond the dusty trail.

However, what about the person that has a wide highway mindset? For example, if you have never tried ethnic food, and desired to taste Thai food, it would seem feasible that you may ask a good friend or spouse how they feel about Thai food. Their answer may be how much they dislike it and how they would not ever eat that cuisine, yet, ask another person with their opinion, and they may insist it is the best food you’ll ever eat!

Do you see how easily you could be influenced by either answer? The biggest issue is no one but ‘you’ have the taste buds in your mouth, to analyze if you indeed like Thai food or not. So, unless you taste it for yourself, you will never know your own opinion.

What if you lived in an area where no one ever skateboarded? Then, your sheltered outlook may have the belief system that no one ever skateboards. Shortly thereafter, you transfer to a new neighborhood, and all those people skateboard to get from house, to local store. Unless you were exposed to it, you wouldn’t have experienced the freedom of skateboarding down the block, wind breezing through your hair, sunlight on your face, and the feel of the cracks on the sidewalk as you master the skateboard to your destination.

What I am getting at is there are always opinions, perceptions, persuasive conversations, stigmas, pros and cons to just about everything.

The question is, how do you find out what is right for YOU?

Research, meditating or praying, taking a consensus of many opinions, trying it for your own self, are some of the ways. Truth is, you cannot discover your pathways in life if you don’t journey down them. Discovering that you are a unique individual with your own thoughts, values, perceptions, and through that, you may find there are things you like and dislike, in spite of may other people’s judgment.

Don’t get caught up in something that doesn’t feel right for you, however. If you know something goes against your belief system, or causes harm, is illegal, or seems wrong, then obviously that path is closed for you, and time to journey somewhere else. That goes for bad friendships where the crowd is negative or hateful, discussions that make you uncomfortable, places where you sense bad vibes.

What a hovering negativity to work with someone that is unethical. That road may be a dead end for you. Turn your head, view out your side mirrors of life, and seek out the new road, finding freedom in the happiness of working in an environment that feels right, sound, with integrity, and a place you could hold your head up high.

When unhappiness, or dusty roads cover your beautiful discovery to the uniqueness of a happy you, it may be time to press forward. Don’t live in an over sheltered life. Allow yourself the permission to grow beyond your narrow alley. Check out the roadmap, and appreciate new parts of you that have yet to be realized. You’ll be glad you did.

Seek your dreams, and dare to believe. The changes that come from your journey will always be rewarding.