The Path

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

I love this quote- I found it the other day when I was looking for some quotes referencing gratitude. This one was bundled with another fantastic quote (for another time) by the Buddha. I am a firm believer that things really enter our lives exactly when we need them.  The Universe will continue to show and gives us signs of the path that we should take in our lives.  Even in those times when we ignore the signs, we keep receiving them until we are ready to walk our path and learn from it.

This particular passage really hit me at the right time. I was stuck in one of those fazes- hoping to be rescued by someone, something, somehow, someway- I am not even sure of from what- but the feeling was there. As a human being, sometimes I let go of my yogic self, become overwhelmed and engulfed. I get to a space where it seems and feels as though the the world and my circumstances are working against me. My mind wanders to the place where I think- it would be so much easier if I had a benefactor or could win a huge lottery jackpot. Or that perfect gig will be the answer that would just rescue me from the discomfort and fear that I am experiencing in that moment. I’ll admit it, I felt it for a second- okay maybe a few seconds. My mind keeps telling me- “it would be so much easier to just have a quick fix rather than take that walk on my path.”  Maybe because my path has had a lot of rocks and some steep hills, ok maybe mountains. There might be some blistering sun and some frozen glaciers along the way and I am not sure if my boots are going to stand up to the challenges that lie ahead.  Its really hard to take that path, especially because it is fused and clouded with uncertainty and fear.

When I found this quote, I was secretly wishing for a sign, an answer, someone or something that could save me from having to make some choices and face my path-it seemed so treacherous in that moment.  It would be so easy if we all just had some fairy godmother that could wash all of our troubles away.  I wish for one frequently but have come to realize in my “old” age that a fairy godmother isn’t really coming.  I must walk the path and save myself.

I have to say, all things considered, I have a pretty freaking amazing life.  I am in an amazing loving relationship; I have a great nutty family; My friends are the best; I have the work schedule of my dreams; all is good. The hardships that I have encountered in my life have been many- some of them really tough life altering things that I never even imagined I would have to face so early on in life and some experiences that seemed huge at the time, but in the end, were just little blips.  Know what? Every time I am faced with a rocky road ahead, whether it has been for a few feet or several miles, I have been able to save myself even in those times when I thought that the only way I could be saved, was by someone or something else.  My experience, truthfully, even in the deepest depths of loss and despair, has led me to exactly where I need to be.  Even though the path to get there might feel like scaling a cliff with one crampon and frayed climbing rope, I know that once I get to the top, there will be green pastures waiting for me.

Today I am truly grateful for all of the blessings in my life- especially walking my weathered path, my tenacity and my ability to continue being resourceful- always saving myself.

I climbed up this cliff in St Marten Last November and Jumped off the edge! If I can climb a cliff barefoot, I can do anything- Ha!