Recently, while sledding in our newest blanket of snow, I saw an interesting sight that left me thinking. I found myself peering at several paths of footprints in the snow. I myself had made my own path, as walking in the other footprints proved to be too difficult; I kept slipping and losing my balance in the existing footprints. But, the person I was with easily walked in a path made by another person.
My head ran away with this. This feels like an analogy for life. Some people walk in the paths of others, other people make their own way. But, wait, there is another way to interpret this, a way that focuses on empathy and understanding; walking in another’s footprints to understand their experience, their life, their emotions. This was all right in front of me, practically hitting me over the head with its obviousness, yet I was still struck with its profoundness and relevance. This is my very journey, to more fully understand others around me, their experience, their life, their emotions. This is why I have chosen understand as my one word journey.
The person I was with very easily “walked in another’s path”. Some people can very easily empathize with another’s journey and struggle, and better understand their perspective. Others stay focused on making their own path. For me, the journey to understand is to symbolically walk in another’s path; to better understand their perspective, their experience, their emotions. Walking in another’s path proved to be difficult for me on that snowy hill that day. But, I will continue my one word journey to understand, unsteady footing and all.
Until next time…..
myonewordjourney 