Dec 10 2008
What is a journey?
What is a journey? Is life a journey? Does a journey have a destination? If a journey has a destination and life is a journey one would suppose you should have a plan as to where you are going. I have not found that to be my experience. Lao Tzu, the famous philosopher who founded Taoism, talks about the journey as river. I always liked that metaphor. Life is like a river. Sometimes you just lay back and allow the current to push you and enjoy the view and the experience. Unfortunately a river can also have rapids, and rocks and even waterfalls. Sometimes what you want is upstream and swimming against the current is exhausting. So is life like a journey in a river? I am starting to think it really doesn’t matter if life is like a journey in a river or up a mountain or into the deep blue sea. What I think may be more important is what you do or don’t do. Even more important what you feel and think really determine if the journey is a pleasant one. These days I struggle against the current to enjoy the journey. Excuse the cliche, but I struggle to smell the roses in spite of the thorns. I know that is the key to serenity, to want what you have and stop wanting what you don’t have. Knowing needs and wants can get intertwined in our complex society it is easier said then done. Cultivation of an attitude of gratitude is another way to enjoy the journey, but another difficult task. But no matter what the river pushes you forward and you have to keep going for yourself and all the people you love and who love you. I may not have any answers but I do have a million questions so maybe for me that is what the journey is about right now, asking questions even though there may not be any answers in sight, for now maybe I can find a way just to enjoy the ability to ask.
