I wrote this in Sedona, AZ in May 2007. I have never shared it before but felt I wanted to share it now.
I see a dead tree with arms up to the sky, like a yoga pose. I have a choice of two paths, can’t see the end of either path. I can go to the right and have a steep climb, or I can choose to stay on the same level path.
I choose to go to the right. I may have to come down again, but for now I must see and feel this awesome place. Now that I am up here, I can see more clearly where I am going. Tears well up in my eyes and I cry with joy that I have come this far. You can also visit school holiday activities sydney here to freeze the best camping memories. It feels good to rest. I don’t need to go any higher now.
After my rest, I feel different about continuing to climb. It feels like something or someone is beckoning me to keep going and go higher. I don’t need to go back, not now. Slowly I move forward on my climb up. Where will it take me? Perhaps someplace magical… What is around the next corner?
Everywhere I look, something resembles something, a twisted branch lying between two trees. I look down at it. It is not an obstacle. I turn around and look up to find a bird scolding or praising me. I’m not sure which but he wanted to get a better look at me so he gets closer and closer until I can see his eyes. He definitely is giving me a message that he approves of what I’m doing too. Then before I could take a picture he flies off with a mate.
As I continue to climb, I stop to look back to see where I was a few minutes ago. It looked out of reach a minute ago and now I’m up here. It feels great that I’ve come this far. I will need to go down sometime, but I can come up here any time I choose. I find it is easier to climb up than to climb down. Just like my dreams had told me. I ask the angels and Theresa’s spirit to help me get down to the path again.
Sometimes there are big boulders in the stream of life. Since I cannot move this boulder I will walk around it. Maybe I will lean on it while I contemplate where I want to go next. I walk again on the path provided for me, sometimes in the rain, sometimes in the sun, sometimes in the cool summer breeze and sometimes in the cold dark shadows of night. All the time I trust that I am safe. I listen and follow the messages I am given.
There may be sadness, sickness, pain and hurt, but it is my path. I listen and KNOW that I am doing the very best I can with God’s help. Many times I experience joyful occasions where smiles come easily, and I rejoice and hoot and holler and beat the drums loud! There are more of these times of happiness now that I have found love and love has found me.
To get to that state of love is a path for all to take. Some choose to take the dirt road or the slower way, others will choose to take the highway and go at top speed.
As our physical body finds it isn’t capable of doing what we would like to do we realize we need to rest and find alternative ways and energy to enjoy every minute of each day.
We thank our supportive friends and family. Those who shared glad times and sad times, the bike rides in the country, the many camping trips with loved ones. Thanks for the breeze from the hot sun….. To be continued
I love this choice! So many times I’ve wanted to give up only to realize later on everything that was happening was happening perfectly, exactly as it was supposed to to get me to the next place in life. I’ve learned to tune in to my intuition so much more than ever before and when I do, I always know the right answer, no matter what. I don’t need anyone or anything else to guide me, just what’s inside of me. Thanks!
This was so beautiful Joyce, it was as though I was climbing that tree with you. I love the analogy that it is a lot easier going up than coming back down – that is so true when we celebrate where we are on our life’s path and journey. Just when we think we are not measuring up, we take a quick glance back to where we came from and realize we have grown and there is no turning back, in fact the thought of going back, is even more painful.
One story I’ll always remember is the time the last shuttle had left for EauClaire from the MSP airport. We thought we may need to spend the night at the airport, but then we thought of renting a car. and they were open yet. Thank goodness. It was about 1:30 am on our way home and soon we saw many cars stopped ahead. The highway was closed down with no way to turn around and go another way.
Cars had their engines shut off and were all waiting . We couldn’t see ahead what was happening…just some bright lights where they were working on the bridge. We were so tired from our trip, we were giddy an silly. I remarked I wonder what lesson I’m supposed to learn from this? It may have been to have patience when there is nothing else you can do. It’s funny how we can look back and laugh at experieces that seemed so terrible at the time.
Wow! Your story is beautiful and inspiring, I am looking forward to the follow up. Thank you for sharing Joyce, we always have choice. I believe that what ever we choose none is wrong or a failure because we will always learn and grow from our experiences.
xxx
Right on Julie, I’m glad you found it inspiring. I believe that which ever path we choose it can always be the correct one because there are always lessons to learn.. Thanks for your commnet Julie
This is a very heart and spirit felt article Joyce, beautifully done. I like how you look at obstacles,. Many of us consider them just that, ‘obstacles’, when in fact they have purpose even if it’s to teach us how to flow around them while keeping our focus on the goal. Well done.
Lynn
Thank you for your comment Lynn. I like what you say about keeping our focus on our goal. Sometimes diffficult when there is so much in fron t of us. I find it’s best to be quiet, and listen for the answers.and direction to take.
This is a beautiful article Joyce. Your words felt like a comforting balm to me. And such a true message. It’s so important to keep moving upward and forward, and to use our past for inspiration and instruction, and not to hold us back. Thank you.
Thank you for commenting Dorine, I believe it may not be so important how fast we move as to keep moving upward and forward. and when we get stuck to ask for help.
Wow! You are such a beautiful writer Joyce! I feel like I am right there with you, experiencing and seeing what you see. It makes me so aware of how important it is to be present in the moment and that there are no wrong paths as long as we are choosing the path out of awareness. Thanks so much for sharing this!
You are welcome Katie, It was fun writing it in 2007 as I experienced it. I’m following it with another post that was written today. The action and feelings of my experience then made a real impression on me. So much that I can recall both feelings and actions vividly..