The Journey Inward

I set my intentions,
Align with my values,
Turn my feet in the direction I wish to go,
And see the path illuminate before me.

The first step is bright and prominent,
And I do not falter or question,
But rather step boldly.

But the way beyond is less obvious,
Dimmer, shrouded in shadows,
There, but not direct.

Looking ahead (always looking ahead!!),
The path diverges,
Casting light in different directions,
Necessitating a choice be made,
Which can feel both blessing and curse,
For a mind that wants stability and security,
Sometimes craving just one way forward.

But I cast aside my TripTik,
And my heart takes the lead,
Feeling its way through paths familiar and not,
Using wonder and awe to guide now,
Knowing that the years of planning, building, managing, launching,
A career, a marriage, a home, children,
Are behind and what lies ahead are also magic years,
Filled with freedom, less responsibility and fewer rules,
And I savor each step, not worrying what it's working toward,
Not needing to understand its exact meaning,
But rather to experience the flow, allow the mysticism,
Of what the Universe wants me to see in my time left on Earth.

And there is a strange comfort in that,
After all these years of conformity, compliance and control,
To not know the destination, to not know what awaits,
But to move forward with excitement and anticipation,
Free from the limitations and confines of society,
But also those of my own mind.

I am ready, I am ready,
I am ready.

Photo:  Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.  1.11.25 by LA