Reminder to follow your own path

The path you find yourself is stronger than the path that it not your own. Simply because you are more motivated to take a step on your own path — there is nobody else to blame when the path leads you astray.

Thus, instead of blame you can focus on what's important: walking. Walking on different paths — exploring different forests and gardens of life. Some are good and some are bad. It is hard to know before you go.

Whenever I have only listened to someone else my will is not as strong to do whatever thing it is. When I truly come up with something myself (which of course can be inspired by others but at heart it has to be my own), my will is stronger — and most importantly I enjoy the process of doing more.

It is easy to be led astray by well meaning people who share their path, their way which has worked well for them. It is easy to be conditioned to do something that comes not from your own heart. This, I believe, is especially true at the beginning of life — the younger you are the easier persuaded, generally speaking.

So at the beginning and during life you make different bargains with yourself. I want to study that, attain that goal, finish that project. Some of these bargains are of your own heart whereas others are not.

Freedom I think is to rid yourself of all extra bargains — those that are not of your own heart. It is too short a life to walk others’ path instead of your own. Your own path will probably be more enjoyable.

With freedom from all these bargains you can choose your path more freely, with more serendipity — kind of how Joseph Campbell put it:

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.”

If you’re still unsure of the path, Campbell also had some thoughts regarding that, encapsulated in follow your bliss.

Just a reminder. Thanks for reading.