I’ve always seen the woods and walking in the woods as a metaphor for life. We start on a path, not always sure of the direction, we face obstacles and detours on some paths, and, in the end, we reach the end of the trail.

Every now and then, people are put on our path to guide us as well. I know there are times when the path, or the people on our path, can lead us astray. But, rather than think of this as a negative, I look at being lost in the woods on a path as the first step to get me where I need to go.

Every path has one thing in common – it starts in one place and ends in another. Whatever you take (or whomever) will determine your journey’s end.

Distracting thoughts will argue you aren’t getting very far. Keep these thoughts at bay by saying to yourself “it depends on where I’m wanting to go.” Maybe this path your own today you don’t want to do quickly. Maybe this path today is one where you want to savor the journey – to literally stop and smell the roses.

Distracting thoughts will say you are going in the wrong direction. I say it’s better to get lost on my way as I head towards trails end than to stay lost going nowhere. Every single step on the trail will draw me closer to something familiar and reassure me I’m headed in the right direction.

Supporting thoughts provide that reassurance. Those thoughts encourage me. They even sometimes run ahead on the trail, just out of view, assess the situation, and then reappear to help me and adjust my route. They offer emotional support to go the distance.

Encouraging thoughts respect my experience and perspective. Those thoughts know I’ve traveled through uncharted territory before and made it thought just fine. Encouraging thoughts admire my passion and trust the trail I’m on.

Listen to the woods. Take those distracting thoughts, learn from them, then dump them in the trash bin. Take those supporting thoughts to prove the reassurance that all is well and all is fine. And as you do your own wandering walks use the encouraging thoughts to allow you to take just one more step forward in life. Life is all about just taking that one more step.