Destination – VJs Weekly Challenge
Photo: After Kings Canyon, the road out to the West MacDonnell Ranges stretches out.
There’s an old Sufi aphorism or proverb where a stable master goes to town for his master, only to be met by the figure of death at the markets “Tomorrow we meet and I will take you.” The man rides home and asks his master for a team of horses that he might ride to the ends of the realm. His request is granted. And he furiously rides to the end of the realm, and as he enters the markets, Death steps out, and says: “I told you I’d meet you today!” There are a number of these stories, some embellished, or like this one – my paraphrase, and from different traditions. But the point is made, It’s not the destination that matters. You can go to the corners of the earth and yet you are still you, and life goes on, it’s the journey that matters and facing oneself.
It’s The Journey That Matters
We never really arrive,
and the destination is never the destination
we think it is,
or, at the very least,
the landscape of everything is not what we expected,
only the people and places along the way,
help us truly arrive at ourselves with understanding.
It’s the journey that matters,
the journey to me,
with standard deviations,
interruptions,
rabbit holes and tea parties,
haring about,
climbing,
exploring,
crying and laughing,
loving and not loving,
skipping along,
grief or whimsey,
arriving and departing,
sometimes too soon.
Destinations can only be seen
through the eyes
of lived experiences,
as constantly never arriving,
and yet always arriving,
as we embrace the journey
in all its unplanned mayhem.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
I have told that story so many times since I read it last Autumn 🙂 an interesting version and outcome. Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad someone else has read it, I found it profound, and I too have used since I read it. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such a good tale and message throughout. “unplanned mayhem” – a good description for life. I clearly remember, in my 20’s, feeling like I had “to get” somewhere – as if life was ticking by, and I was late for my arrival. With age, we learn the destination is seldom the destination (as you point out.) Thanks for joining in.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yes, I began in a similar fashion, It sure takes time and a few wise ones. Thank you for sharing and a big thanks for the prompt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can cheat on your wife and on your taxes, but you can’t cheat death.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ain’t that the truth! Well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In Italy a story like this was told in a beautiful song: “Samarcanda”
LikeLiked by 2 people
How delightful, I must listen to that, thank you Luisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please, do, it is wonderful. But I don’t know if there is an English version
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes you can import subtitles – I’ll see – soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
As my friends are fond of saying, “Everywhere you go, there you are!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, a wonderful saying that’s true 🙂 Thanks Ana
LikeLike
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
ok now this is getting officially scary … about two hours before you posted this, probably as you were writing it I decided to reblog my post about the next big adventure!
I have heard this story many times … and getting well acquainted with ourselves is essential on this journey as we have so many lessons to learn 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, scary in a good way 🙂 I actually wrote it the day before, and played with it for a while to turn the phrases, I wasn’t overly happy with the final piece, but I could see no other way forward. I will get to yours soonish, on the road today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh yours is great, hadn’t realised you laboured over them … it seems seamless 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, Yes, some need reflective time, others just spring to mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and they are all gems so keep going!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the encouragement 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
you’re most welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure is 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wisdom from your life’s experiences speaks loudly in this post Paul. I do believe that quite a few a us are finally arriving at this understanding, that the journey is more important than the destination. That feels good for me, just being with what is rather than needing to get somewhere other than where I am.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I wish I’d known this earlier, but it only comes with experience, so no chance really, part of living 🙂 Yes, no destination as such, but the journey instead, wonderful, thanks Helene
LikeLiked by 1 person
We learn and appreciate the blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, another wonderful poem! Thanks for sharing. It reminds me of my favorite Mary Oliver poem:
“Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
You seem to be doing that in spades!😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
She is a wonderful inspiration isn’t she. Many thanks for sharing such a wonderful response.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this poem.
The irony is, many times we read similar poems, stories, tales but we often forget the lesson and nevery stop chasing the unknown destination 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so true, and thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the simple truth! And we spend a lifetime chasing death, never taking a breather to enjoy the journey. Delightful turn of phrases.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Punam, I wonder that we take enough time to appreciate that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only we would do that! You are welcome Paul.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautifully woven together to tell such deep truths
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Getting Where? – One Woman's Quest II
Brilliant Paul 👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so very much for that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
In life there are no guarantees, so enjoy the journey and appreciate the moments. Life might surprise you. Wonderful post, full of wisdom. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Olga 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person