The Path and the Course

          I imagine visiting the Grand Canyon for a hiking trip would be overwhelming, especially if there were no Guides, no posted signs, and no maps.  Luckily, those things are provided to protect visitors and to guarantee the maximum amount of enjoyment of the arduous trek.  (As well, to increase your chances of coming back alive!)

         Hikers in other parts of the USA set out on their own.  Some choose forrested areas, others choose desert sands and blaring sun.  If smart, they pack what they need to survive the hike as well as make it back on their own.  Maybe it is a familiar haunt, or they've acquired the knowledge and skill needed to navigate their way successfully. 

         Unfortunately, casaulties and even death occur on both Guided trips and ones undertaken with a sense of individual competency.  No trip is void of potential injury.  And, it's just as likely to fall and sprain an ankle, or fall and be fatally injured.  There are a thousand-and-one dangers.  This is why having a Guide, someone more experienced, is helpful to accompany you on these adventures.

       Life is much the same as a trip into unknown (not-yet experienced) areas.  Often, there is no map, not even of the main routes and waterways.  While you can see sections of the path, the stretch of sand to the horizon, the foot path before the next craggy boulder, what is to come next is often hidden.  Sometimes it is exciting to explore the path; other times, it's quite frightening, or at least unsettling.  How much easier it would be if you could not only see the entire "path" but also the entire "course."   Or, be with someone who has seen them.

       We raise our kids without an idea of what the entire course looks like.  We work in jobs with no fore-knowledge of how our contribution will affect the company in 20-30 years (if we're lucky to have the same job that long).  We pursue our dreams in much the same way, only imagining what the end result will "look like," and what our lives will become, "then." 

        Do you ever stop in a day and consider where you are going, and think aout the things you are doing along the way?  Do you find yourself wandering, starting off on one path, but taking side paths you think will either be interesting, or think might be a short-cut out of the forrest?  Or, do you never venture off the hardened trod-upon path you believe everyone else has taken before you arrived?   Is there someone you watch, observe, then "follow," whether it concerns raising your family, doing your job, getting promoted, or other activity you are doing?

       Unfortunately, there are not always mentors to turn to when we are stumbling along on our life trips.  Yet, most mentors have the ability to assist because they have seen not only paths, but the overall "course" at least once.  They've taken the trip themselves, often without a Guide of their own, and they've found their way to places we only dream about today.  So, why aren't there more Mentor-Guides?  Where are those folks who can share their knowledge, expertise, wisdom?  Sometimes, we need to identify ourselves as Mentors, and be willing to step out of hiding so that we can help fellow travelers. 

        What knowledge, expertise or skills do you have?  Who can you assist today on their trek through unknown terrain?