Paths less travelled

Recently, in the fog, Sherry and I hiked the paths and trails around Cleveland Dam on the North Shore. It was good exercise, and refreshing to be almost alone in the forest.

















For some reason, the paths we hiked reminded me of parts of The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck (1936 - 2005). I read the book in the mid 1980s, and all his books thereafter. His words about a spiritual life, grace, evil, and suffering resonated with me then, as they do now. As I recall, Peck began with the line: Life is difficult.

Choosing paths in a forest, in a city, or in life, can be difficult. Does this one lead us somewhere, or in a circle? Will we find our way back if we take this one? Are we there yet Dad?



Each one of us must make his own path through life. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong road for another...The journey of life is not paved in blacktop; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wilderness.                  - M. Scott Peck

                           
Returning to the city, and ultimately, albeit several days later, to a brief moment of sunshine, pathways returned to us, and they were beautiful.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. 
We ourselves must walk the path.       - Buddha

Sometimes the path is clear. Sometimes the walk is the easy part. And often, neither is obvious.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2013.