I took this shot just before sunset; these are the hues just as the camera saw them. When I saw the image on my computer as I reviewed the shots I’d taken last week, I was drawn to the winding path leading into the late afternoon sun which colors the scene with a nostalgic and perhaps reflective mood.
A road or path is frequently used as a metaphor for life. Robert Frost mused about “the road not taken.” (“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.”) The Beatles sang about the long and winding road. The Bible contains at least 31 references to a path … all metaphors.
During my 1960s teenage search for meaning, I discovered the writings of Henry David Thoreau, the 19th century author / activist / philosopher who spoke to my generation’s “revolutionary” soul. (“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”)
Today, his writing continues to inspire me, just as it did long ago. When I was thinking of this photograph as a metaphor for my life, Thoreau’s words challenged me again. They remind me of the power of thought…that if I want to change the path of my life, I need to change my thoughts.
“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Perfect! So true
YES
I love this, both the photo of the path and the quotation about thinking things over and over. Thanks Mona
Thoreau is one of my favorite authors/activists/philosophers (I don’t know how many people would call him a philosopher, but I think he qualifies) … Thanks for you compliment on my photo.
Deep and beautiful words
I love it when i find quotes like that and you cant help but think that it was written for you. I love the photo! I can’t wait to start taking sunset shots! Haha
Thank you. I like sunsets … haven’t quite gotten exactly what I want … but hey, I’m a beginner. It will come.
Mona, this is beautiful. This looks like it came from a movie. A picture worth a thousand words, undoubtedly! XX Neha
Oh thank you! This is a great compliment.
So then the question is – what path are you following?
Beautiful photo.
That is an excellent question.
I recently had to “put my money where my mouth is”. I kept saying I was going to scale back and get rid of things, downsize, etc. Well, we’re finally doing it–husband and I are moving to a one level home, 1/4 of the yard we had before, and I’m getting rid of more stuff even after I move. I decided I was going to have to do what I was saying I was going to do, not just saying it! I like your thoughts about Paths.
I find it interesting that others can connect with my thoughts and words. Our PATHS!
Thank you for sharing this Mona!! Powerful words with a beautiful photograph.
“To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives”
This is actually something that I have recently. been trying to do.
I read that every day, reminding myself to change my thoughts, which for far too long have been hovering in a negative realm. I’m taking a different path now.
Yes! That quote perfectly relates to the positive thinking
I totally agree.