The paths before us

These pictures of two different paths through a Reserve forest made me think about the journey in life.

The first path is winding and curvy in many places. It takes a longer time to travel, although covers a larger space of the forest.The second path is straight and makes  little turns. It is shorter and takes lesser time to travel.

They were both in the same forest, meant for different purposes. The long and winding path was meant to give the travelers a wider view of the panorama of the forest. The second one was created to take the travelers through areas frequented by the animals for a close up view.  

Let this give us much comfort when we view our journey in life. Sometimes we find ourselves taking longer time including periods of waiting to get what we want. There are times, when we seem to make excursions or detours without making much progress in our career, family life or personal life. Such are the times when we enhance our world view of experiences, insights and perceptions. They are meant to give us a wider and larger view of the canvas of life. 

I often wondered, whether I wasted my two years studying public health at the beginning of my professional career. Now I realize that it formed my inclusive thinking on health care. It has been natural for me to think of epidemiology, environment, community dimensions in health care, which have been critical in my thirty five years of practice of Developmental paediatrics. 

The second path, which is straight, symbolizes another  season in our lives, where we make quick progress and move directly into what seems to be good for us. This is a valuable period when we experience a greater fulfillment. Such seasons help us to plan ahead and move forward. Sometimes we get driven by our achievements on such occasions that life brings pauses, detours or departures form the routine to allow us to recover, enlarge and grow deeper into the mystery of life. Life brings us a blend of experiences to prune us that we may bear fruits. 

It is necessary to welcome both seasons in our lives. 

I met a class mate of mine at school, yesterday, who briefed me of his life journey. He began as a teacher, moved on to journalism and is now a civil rights activist supporting people for their just needs. He gave me a hand out, he prepared on free market. His analysis was as good as that of an international economist. When I asked him, how he developed such a wide perspective, he mentioned of his ten long years he waited to get a promotion as the head teacher at school, because of leadership suppressing his promotion. During those ten years, he read, wrote, published and got involved with people and their needs. He enlarged his mission in his life, while going through a winding path. 

Let us welcome life, because, God is accompanying us in this journey during all seasons of life. Let us receive different seasons in life, because they are meant for our formation!

M. C. Mathew (text and photo)