The Journey Home

The Journey Home

　

 

We keep getting told that we need to find ourselves. What exactly does that mean? Are we all in some parallel universe searching ... are we 'lost in translation'? I don't know about you, but I never realized I was lost until books and speakers told me so. Whilst I realized it is a metaphor, the expression is so overused that I think it confuses rather than enlightens.

I choose to believe that we are not lost, but that sometimes we wander of our intended path and have to get back on track. It can be a short journey for some and can take a lifetime for others. There are some who may never find the way to their intended destination. But lost, no! Life is a journey of self discovery.

Each journey is different and is influenced by circumstance and experience. Geography and culture can change the way we view ourselves and life. All these things can dictate the sort of decisions we make, even when many of us are presented with similar situations. We are all different and react differently to what life throws at us.

Very few of us know what we want to be when we grow up. I don't know about you, but when I was a child it changed every week. One week I wanted to be a teacher, the next a psychologist and for a long time an actress, the list goes on. Even if we do have a plan, life may guides us elsewhere.

My life has changed directions many times, each time has been both frightening and exciting. The decisions I have made have often been difficult and required strength, that I did not realized I had. Once made, those decisions had to be followed through on. Although at times there have been and are still moments of self doubt, what I have learned along the way is that very rarely are we given the opportunity to go back. The only choice is to move forward and build on what we have learned.

Whether it be in life or love, be assured, we all make mistakes. I certainly have and though this may sound like a cliche, you do learn something from each of them. That's not to say that you may not repeat some of them, we are after all human. If we are often repeat offenders, there is no point beating ourselves up about it. At some point we come to understand and learn not to make the same mistakes. At least we hope so.

I believe that we all have a purpose in life. Even though we may think we know exactly where we are going and what we want the universe will drag us, sometimes kicking and screaming, to where we are meant to be. It is then up to us, whether we open our eyes and mind to what is before us and embrace what life is offering..

Life can be exhausting. Knowing what direction to take confusing and sometimes painful. We have to delve deep inside ourselves to find strength and meaning. There will be times where we may not like what we find, but it is within our power to change. If we take one step at a time and continue our individual journey, I believe that instinctively we will know when we have reached that place where we are at our happiest and most comfortable. A place that feels like home. Maybe that is what they mean by 'finding ourselves'.

Sunday, 04 May, 2014