go easy on yourself

Something as simple as a poor judgement, can reshape every value you had ever formed. The map of the mind is a tricky place, and we continue the journey every day trying to understand signs written in a foreign language. It's just as soon as we learn the script that the roads change direction and the language along with it. You learn quickly to forgo the bypasses, for you will only find yourself back at the beginning if you try and skip parts of the road. And nobody said it would be easy, did they? The idea that we are all responsible for our own is a daunting image in the minds eye, and yet we are so quick to be defensive when that position is challenged. Wouldn't it be nice, to have it all handed down? Would you take the opportunity? Would you still be the person you have developed into up until now? The thing is, all parts of our journey (whether it be the scars and bruises or the successes and rewards) work in partnership. Every fork in the road helps form your perception of what's happening around you, and although it is difficult not to look back on those forks and question if what you chose was right - you learn deep in your heart that it took that turn to get you to where you are going next. The roads are just a figment of our imagination, and the really path is where ever we put our feet down and choose to take the next step. This can be tricky when you find yourself going around repeatedly in circles... but you will learn to stop, reevaluate, and change direction. The temptation of regret can be strong, but I have learned from the circles and the retracing steps that it led me to where I am now... and the lesson can be so great if you open your heart to it. So I will stop, and look around - and appreciate the beauty of the day, the love in my heart and the smiles on the faces that mean the world to me. I will remember that though many many MANY mistakes have been made, I'm still learning, will always be learning - and there's still many journeys to be had.