your true path

I recently read somewhere that Dutch scientists (gotta love the Dutch : home of Edam and clogs) at Maastricht University have decided that doing absolutely nothing for a couple of hours a day is excellent for building immunity. So, in the name of research, today I successfully lay in my bed for most of the day until I dragged myself out to go to my evening classes. I even skipped yoga in the name of immunity-building. Of course now I feel strong enough to battle down even the most recalcitrant case of hiccups and perhaps even survive a very nasty toe-stubbing.
     Anyway as I lay immunity - building in my garden bed (FYI: I  have a bed that looks like a garden) I started thinking about life paths. Not just because I was lying in a garden bed ( and hence might logically begin pondering garden paths) but because I had been discussing this very topic with one of my classes earlier in the week.
I mean what exactly is a life path?
I have decided ( in my infinite wisdom as an immunity-building garden bed-dweller) that there are three possible interpretations although I am of course open to many more.

First there is the actual life path: get born-grow up-get married-have kids -lose teeth/ mind- push daisies. Obviously I am very lost on this particular path!

Second there is the path you can take where you decide to remain true to whatever path you are already on. It could be a path very much like the first situation ot it could be different - like the path of a nun etc.  This path, whatever it is, is fairly well cut out for you.  If you look out the window you can see it unfolding nicely in front of you - maybe there is the odd dip in the road - but ultimately you know where the path is going and this is a relief to you. It may not bring true happiness to you or the others on your immediate path. It may not reflect who you really are; it may be born out of obligation and duty that you carry like stones upon your back but it is safe and predictable and in these days of uncertainty what the hell is wrong with that! I can understand this path completely.

Then there is the third path -your true path. A path you cannot see ahead of you but which magically appears each time you put your foot down in the direction your heart leads you. Of course sometimes you put your foot in completely the wrong direction and the path still apears but somehow gently it finds a way back to where your true path lies.  And what is your true path ? The path of least resistance ( although perhaps at first glance it may seem like the most); the path that brings you joy and purpose; the path that doesn't make you feel like you have chosen the wrong path! It doesn't mean that your true path is all sunflowers and rainbows - it could be very hard - but there is something in your soul, in your deepest being, that knows this path is right for you. It is the path I believe that brings you peace and peace to those around you who experience you at peace. I am not saying duty and obligation do not exist on this path but instead of feeling like burdens they feel like freedoms too. Of course there are some very appealing things about the idea of a true path especially since at face value it  lends itself rather conveniently to the idea that everything is fated and you have no control over your destiny. But this is wrong, naive and perhaps even lazy. I know that if I lie around in bed all day (albeit  immunity-building) my true path is not suddenly going to appear. I have to work at it. I have to believe it. I have to understand that sometimes it is going to hurt but right in the middle of it, right in its very nub is peace and happiness.

This is the path I want to take -although right now I am afraid.

Incidentally- this is a picture of me loving the Dutch at Euro 2008