The Journey

June 28, 2025 (a re-post with edits from an earlier version of this publication)

Every single one of us has a unique journey. We take our first breath somewhere in this wild invisible landscape of life experiences… a spot so specific it practically deserves coordinates… perhaps as if picking up right where someone else left off. There is no set starting line that we share. Even the circumstances of our first breath is unlike any other. We walk forward on a path of experiences that might as well be a fingerprint or a snowflake. 100% unique to us. A succession of events, decisions, and personal interpretations that add up in a way that no one else’s does.

That is by design.
It is an important detail.
It matters A LOT.

[I also believe that we are simultaneously one whole entity; a living breathing organism of life unfolding and rippling across every molecule of creation - in sync - even outside of space and time. However, we wear our individuality through every moment of it.]

That is crucial to understand because of this:

Our journey is what gives us our perspective. When we realize that everyone has had completely unique experiences in their own order and timing (and that it’s not a bad thing), we can begin to recognize the value of their point of view; understanding that they literally hold a different vantage point on reality - the landscape we all traverse. Their perspective is different, and if we provide space for them to communicate that perspective in genuine and authentic ways, it’s in no way false. It might be narrower, or include vistas you are yet to be aware of. They may have walked more days in the cold darkness, while you managed to find luxurious sunny spaces. You may have slain dragons, but perhaps they have conquered the Fire Swamp. Their knowledge is different but valid. Valid and valuable.

The other reason we benefit from realizing this is, it helps us understand that we don’t need to intervene and dictate other people’s path. They’re going somewhere specific - even if they don’t realize it - and who they will be on the other side is supposed to be different than you.
It’s not the problem we make it out to be.

Is it difficult to keep our control issues to ourself when we see someone making choices that we wouldn’t make? You bet. Especially if they’re doing something we’ve done, and we know it made things more difficult and impacted other people. It’s normal for us to be reminded of our own path when we recognize the landscape someone seems to be traveling through. Or often they step boldly into something that we’ve been way too scared to do ourselves, or even been taught not to. Their inability to see things from our perspective is frustrating at times. That’s not our concern, though.

It’s their climb. Whether it appears to be spiraling upwards, or down, or around, or going no where at all… it’s a gaining of ground; regardless of what it looks like to you from your current spot on the map.

So what does this mean? Are we all just supposed to accept the chaos and let everything fly out of control?

Well, not JUST that, but yeah, I sort-of think we are. I mean, are we really claiming to have “the fix?” Do we see our attempts at control working? Are we really going to convince ourselves that the way we do things is superior? Out of every person, for all of time, that has ever lived … we’re convinced we’re the ones who got it right?
If they’d only listen to us!!

Come on.

Here’s the thing, the magnificent Creator of everything was the one who created free will. He’s not a controlling God. What some people also miss is that he’s not scared of sin or mistakes. He does not shy away from us when we step in an unsavory direction. He sticks with us with every breath. In fact He’s the only one with any real understanding of what each of us (individuals) has seen/heard/felt/thought. He’s the only one who has the ability to speak into the hearts of humankind, and He speaks fluently to every single one of us in the ways that we know and understand; He is the ultimate linguist of the countless languages of the soul. He does not fail in this.
This and His desire for us IS the good news! He is with us, and in us!! Every single one of us.

So how do we get others to listen to that voice and direction?

We don’t.
That’s not our job.

[Yes, we do all benefit when they do, but]
Our job is our own journey.
Our job is listening to the still, gentle voice in our own spirit.
Our job is to get really good at recognizing it, by spending a whole lot of time getting still and quiet so we can hear it.
Be still [often], and know [a lot].

It is then that undying and ever-sustaining love comes to us. He knows our specific circumstance, and will help us respond in ways that keeps our footing. The way we are cherished through our own mistakes will reassure us that in the midst of the chaos [that is created by billions of people trying to wrest the wheel of fate out of someone else’s grasp], we will find grace and strength. Peace that passes understanding. Faith in what is to come. A total lack of fear IS available to us.

Staying connected to that is our only task and it is our responsibility because no one can do it for us. It is our very own personalized source of everything we need. The magical, mystical, WONDERFUL thing about the function of this is, when we do it right… when we go into our hearts and seek HIS direction, acceptance, and affirmation instead of that of external sources… it creates a channel where light and love flows out through all the facets that our experiences have given us. We shine in a brilliant way that lights the path of others. We’re active in that function by staying plugged in to that outlet, then passively it flows out. In an unmistakable way. Not like a traffic light; like a flood light. Not directing anyone; illuminating the landscape so that they can see their own path. We are light houses shining out on the stormy sea, not flag poles frantically waving a message in the dark and howling wind.

Even if we have been super diligent in listening to that voice within our own hearts, and brave and courageous enough to soften into the ways that God is asking to shape us in our experiences, we do not know the best way to do that for another person. To attempt it would be playing god, and in the same way interfering in His work.

We’re ALL sheep, y’all. HE is the Shepherd. HE is the Master. You are not responsible for their souls [and if your brand of religion has taught you that, I beg you to look further into that message].

Am I suggesting that we don’t offer help and assistance?

NOT AT ALL.

I am insisting that we do what we were directed to do and recognize how that IS helping. We are called to love our God, and love each other. The reason is, as long as we are staying connected to that source and allowing it to move through us, we are providing illumination where others need it. They will be hampered by the lack of light and acceptance when we don’t. Our shouts will confuse them. Our insistence on only loving those who “get it” will leave the rest to fumble on alone. We add to the chaos and turmoil when we fail in our job.

Start by coming back to yourself.
Revisit the instructions and guidance in Jesus’s teachings.
Every single one of them brings you back to the responsibility you have in yourself.
Stay connected to that intimacy with your Source by not worrying about what others are doing.
Get centered and grounded in that.
Ask Him to clear that channel over and over again so that you remain open.
Then take everything you feel in that space and graciously, generously, without judgement and without fear, allow it to flow freely through you and out onto others - even when you seem alone.

Obviously there are consequences in life.
Laws allow us to be aware of how we can negatively impact others.
Yes, we have rules for reasons.

Are we forming these perimeters as road blocks and barricades that insist we all do things the same way, though? Seeking ways to FORCE them to do what we feel is best for our own path?

Or are we giving more attention to what we already have control over - OURSELVES and how we love, witness, value, and accept those who have walked a different landscape than we’ve ever even dreamed.