Thursday, March 12, 2009

Thoughts, trails and journeys


"What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."


Ralph Waldo Emerson






Have you ever wondered just what it is that makes us the people who we've become? I have, many times. I just don't think I've found the answer yet. Maybe I never will; but I have learned a few things along the way.

Some believe in pre-destination, as in your life is all planned out before you've even begun. I can see some truth in that, but don't believe it wholeheartedly. We have way too many choices for that to be completely true. But I do believe that we are led, or manipulated if you will, to make some of the choices that are set before us. It's a deep subject for sure, and one that when discussed is always interesting, and subjected to many differences of opinion. Therein lies the intrigue...all those possibilities and points of personal perception. I love philosophy, discussions on the deeper subjects in life. I enjoy a good, deep conversation where that little light goes off in the brain; and you realize something for the first time, that's always been there - you've just never noticed it, or thought about it quite the same until just then - and all of a sudden you get this whole other insight into a completely new realm of possibilities. Knowledge is so vital to keeping one's curiosity alive. It really is the key to life remaining interesting and profound. I think that when we lose our curious natures, that is when we truly begin the dying process. We become bored, or too set in our own ways to look at something in a different light. We need to remain, or maybe go back, to becoming child-like and veiw the world and all it's possibilities through the eyes of a child's mind. We should never have confidence in our own understanding, but always remain a scholar, realizing that the more we learn...the more we have to learn. The bible tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding".

If we do trust in our own wisdom and believe that we know too much, then we quickly become fools, even if not apparent to ourselves.

So, just where am I going with all this? I'm not sure, just something that was on my mind this morning. In fact, quite often I ponder thoughts such as these and come up with more questions and like a waterway tributary, they often lead to parts unknown.




Maybe I've given you some food for thought today, and if so...enjoy the journey; for life is just that - a journey and we know not where we are going.



Just trust that you're on the path where you're supposed to be.



Happy trails my friends.



May you be blessed along the way,




Cingspots

7 comments:

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Ah you are a thoughtful lady ,in many ways .I have always thought that life shapes us,some, but there is an inherrent character that is set . some will grow tall and gracefull some will have deep roots and be stout and sturdy but they will still be trees. hope that makes sense

Grey Horse Matters said...

That certainly is a lot of deep thinking, especially first thing in the morning. I don't believe we are predestined to do anything. I think our upbringing shapes our lives and from then on we have the chance to choose which way we want to live our lives.

Gail said...

Love your Emerson quote. Yes, I often wonder how, if I had made a different choice, my life might be changed.
We may have a destiny but our paths are our choosing.

Anonymous said...

wow are we on the same page.. .are we somehow related ? :) Proverbs 3:5-6 has always been one of my favs especially when I just cant figure out how in the heck i got here (in a certain situation). Having come to horses only a coupla years ago and what they have brought to my life.. I know G-d has directed (and continues to ) direct my path

shalom and thanx for this my friend
gp

Maria said...

beautiful quote, beautiful post, beuatiful pictures
thanks

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Whenever I see that particular Emerson quote...I think about 'lies'. The key word.

Is it referring to what is laying there in the path and in our hearts....or the experiences that are telling us lies? Who and what can we trust? How can we make our choices? Should we seek the truth, so we can make our future selections?

I admire your deep thinking. I, too am a deep thinker. My family called me a 'dreamer' when I was a child and they still do. I enjoy being alone so I can sort through my thoughts. I think alone time is the only way to discover those deep meaningful thoughts, don't you?

And I bet you spend many hours alone walking your dog outside in nature (another venue of deep thinking).

Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts today. I have truly enjoyed them and will carry with me a few of those seeds that I'm sure will grow in my own mind, into even more deep thoughts and ideas.

~Lisa


word verification: paugh

German for Paw.

Donna said...

I don't think I've ever felt like I was on the path I was supposed to be on, I'm always searching for a different one. This makes me a seeker but seldom a finder. Just a few more deep thoughts...