“November, caught between two festivals, is a great month for reflection of the past and the future to come.” from “Shared Vision” magazine (November 2006)
Usually the month of November here on the Pacific West Coast is the month for storm watching, especially on Vancouver Island; several beautiful resorts use the draw of these magnificent storms (of wind, waves and rain) in their advertising. Here in the West End we can experience the same on a smaller scale and as I look outside my windows I can see the added element of icy, white snow on the mountains heralding the end of Autumn days. The streets become quieter as we spend more time indoors or in stores – the Winter season is coming and with it comes a busyness, the time for bringing more light into our homes (yes to candles and strings of light!), a natural tendency to bring the outdoors in (I’ve been collecting fallen pine cones from the generous tree on my mother’s street), sharing our bounty of food and rare gifts and my favourite, helping others.
Before the storm, I often find myself contemplating roads not taken, it’s done in an idle way (without regret) and can be a kind of reckoning – I have a sense of a compass of sorts that sits near my belly and has only one setting, to point me in the direction of the best road to take or be on.
We all have a collection of roads in our hearts; roads not taken, roads that may have lead us to lives lived differently and as well, those roads that we should not have taken at all! My roads both taken and not taken have all lead to this present moment. And who am I at this moment? Well, I am a writer in between jobs, living in this beautiful place by the sea, I am a cancer survivor (let me tell you, 2011 & 2012 were very challenging, I had 3 cancer surgeries within 9 months – both types of cancer were caught early and I did not have to have chemo or radiation) who is parked on the road for 5 years due to life-affirming check-ups throughout the year and I am a human being trying to make sense of it all (meaning: the small thread that represents my life is continually becoming part of the vast tapestry that makes up this wonderful world and my question will always be: is my thread shiny & bright or dull & dirty?). What I also know is that pushing forward, ready to explore and to always say “yes” to life has also brought me here, writing to you, feeling good and happy to contemplate new roads.
The road(s) not taken will always be a part of us, in not taking those roads, by following our hearts, we are able to become the architects of our own unique lives and in doing so, allow the tapestry to unfold in peace…may we all be blessed to find ourselves continuing the journey no matter which road we take or find ourselves on!
Inspiring posts. Not taking the opportunities to tarvel can be very harmful. I’m sure many people regret that they didn’t take one or another trip. Due to that, I try to make everything happen regardless of how few time I have 🙂
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Hello and thank you for checking out my blog! I appreciate your thoughts and agree that to travel is to learn more about ourselves and others-my most recent travel experience was to Vancouver Island this past May to a beautiful retreat/resort called “Tigh-Na-Mara” located near the seaside town of Parksville. I enjoy spending time there, it is very peaceful and quiet-there is always the scent of woodsmoke in the air and often, there is deer wandering through the trees!
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Sounds amazing indeed. Some relaxation is deepy needed from time to time to get back in a good shape! 🙂
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Thank you again, Moritz, for your very positive words!
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You are very welcome 🙂
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For myself I have found that the roads I decided to miss have been the right ones all along. It gave me you, your brother, and the friends that I now have. I sometimes vision roads to be circular, and I have found myself being again at the start, where I presumed it would be the finish. I love this planet, this City by the sea, love this blog, am an avid fan, I can hardly wait for Thursday.
Love Mom
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Wow! I enjoy reading your thoughts as well and it makes writing on Thursday mornings exciting for me, too! Circular roads may crop up in our lives to help us break patterns/ruts or try to teach us something..I love the mystery of it all!
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Reblogged this on chasingwestendimages.
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Inspiring post. I too am a three time Cancer survivor. I have learned this lesson and travel these roads. It is great just to open my eyes every day and know that I am still here. To live, to love my family and friends and to see what the day, week, month or season will bring,
Well done. :o)
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Thank you so much for sharing your journey, I’m sorry to hear that you have had to travel these same roads. Your very kind words have touched me deeply and I’m glad that you are here – I’m wishing you the very best, fellow traveler!
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