The dawn came with a musical silence. I slipped into my winter walking clothes and stepped outside. The air was frozen lace on my skin, delicate and cold, like winter waves on sallow sand. The trees were dark silhouettes, still as an oil painting. Under a dove grey sky, the colors of my world donned their winter coats, each hue darker and richer than before. The path ahead of me sparkled and crunched, like sugar underfoot, and the crisp cold air brought me into the now.
Snow began falling. I watched the snowflakes tumble, those light feathery crystals, their chaotic flight slowly forming a blanket over my neighborhood. No two snowflakes were alike, each taking on the perfect form for its journey.
While the universal force of gravity gave them a shared destination, the expansive space in the air gave each snowflake the opportunity to take its own path. Although the snowflakes were on the same journey, each chose a different path. Along this gravity-driven journey, some snowflakes collided and damaged each other while some collided and joined together. The wind influenced some, tossing them aimlessly to and fro. So many transitions and changes took place along the snowflake's journey. But no matter what the transition, each snowflake was perfectly shaped for its journey.
A parallel exists between snowflakes and us. No two humans are alike. Each of us takes on the perfect form for our journey. While the Universal force gives us a shared destination, the expansive world in which we live gives each of us the opportunity to take our own path. Although we’re on the same journey, each of us chooses a different path. Along this psychological and spirit-driven journey, some of us collide and damage each other while some collide and join together. The wind influences some, tossing them aimlessly to and fro. So many transitions and changes take place along our journeys. No matter what the transition, each of us is perfectly shaped for our journey. I’m perfect for my journey, and you’re perfect for yours.
I welcomed my journey this wintry morning and every morning with a strong heart. I stand tall, striding in bold steps feeling a sense of pride in each one. This journey is not about a destination, arrival point, or finish line. There is no such thing. This journey is about traveling, traveling companions, and the noble struggle. Traveling companions come and go, and sometimes I travel alone. Yet, I have my internal compass, the spirit within, and two well-clad feet each dawn.
