Friday, February 1, 2019

Shaded Pathways, Sunny Disposition


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It’s funny how when things are different than what we planned, we pause. We question. Uncertainty grips our bones tightly. We freeze.

My path is usually sunny, and I have no problem forging ahead into the next adventure with a hopeful heart and open hands to welcome whatever may grab me. This changed recently. Suddenly, I was looking ahead, and my path was shaded. I paused. I questioned. I froze. I’ve never stood still with life before, but all at once, I was looking ahead, unsure of my next step. I realized that while I’ve experienced uncertainty before, it was commonly just a light hand on my shoulder, and I was able to shrug it off easily. Not so much this time; the darkness of uncertainty traversed my soul, leaving no corner unsearched.

The dark can be scary because so much is unknown inside those unlit spaces. We aren’t sure where edges lie and corners cut. We aren’t sure if what grabs our hands will be welcoming friend or an unknown enemy. But there are tiny dances in the in these unfamiliar places, with stars murmuring, and stolen affection between the light and the dark. With this realization, we come to accept that we often grow most within those labyrinths of the unknown. Maybe we shouldn’t be timidly walking in the dark. Maybe our tip toes and soft steps don’t lead us in these places and down these paths. Maybe it’s in the dark where we leap, and just when we are sure we aren’t going to land on our own two feet, those open hands welcome whatever grabs us: friends and family, hope, love, self, possibility.

Sometimes the sun sets differently on the life you’ve planned, and shadows are cast, but the sun still casts light and the shadows still have a role. So, I’ll continue on my way. The path may be shaded, but my hands are open for whatever may grab me, and my heart most certainly knows the way.

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