Your Journey

“May it be Your will, Lord, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth. May You send blessing in our handiwork, and grant us grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our humble request because You are God Who hears prayer requests. Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer.”

The Traveler’s Prayer – Translated from Hebrew

Dear Friend,

You have a path that has been chosen for you.  Though it may sound cliché, no one can take your journey for you.  Only you can take your journey.  Your path may be familiar to others.  It may be a well-worn path, worn by the impression of many travelers who have gone the same way.  This can be comforting because you have many potential guides.   Or it may be a path that is familiar to only a few.  This can be comforting because you have a few potential guides.  Or it may be a brand new path.  This can be the most frightening and the most rewarding.  Whichever one it is, only you can take your journey. 

We are all meant to take our journeys.

Though you don’t have to take your journey alone, you have to make your own decision.

You can refuse to go.  However, if you do, you will wonder for the rest of your life what might have been.  You will never really know the answer.

You can turn back any time and at any point.  However, if you do, you will wonder for the rest of your life what might have been.  You will never really know the answer.  And you will probably end up taking the journey again, but you will not be able to regain the time you lost.

You can complete the journey and then return home to the life you once knew.  If you do this, make this decision from a state of peace and not a state of fear.  If you make it from a state of fear, you will wonder for the rest of your life what might have been.  You will never really know the answer.

Journeys are meant to be fun.  Journeys can be a time of dreaming and of healing.  The purpose of the journey is the destination, but a rushed journey is usually not a journey at all, but a task.  If you must hurry, then do so consciously.  Otherwise, slow down, look around and see what you can learn. 

Spend some of your journey in silence, especially if you are traveling alone.  See what God says to you in the quiet. 

Spend some of your journey learning.  Listen to audio books.  Talk to new people.  Look around when it’s safe to do so.

Spend some of your journey in celebration.  Listen to a favorite song over and over.  Sing as loudly and as happily as you like, especially if you are alone.

If the purpose of your journey is to get away or even to run away, acknowledge that.  Know, however, that your journey can be used to heal you or delay your healing.  It is up to you to decide which.

If the Purpose of your journey is to begin a new life, acknowledge that.  Know however, that you may have to leave some of your old baggage behind.

If you travel with someone, pick someone you love.   Traveling with someone will teach you much about your companion…and about yourself.

Slow down.

Stop and rest.

Get out and stretch once in a while.

Pull over and take a nap or get something to eat if necessary.  

Stop and look at something new.

Take pictures.

Smile or laugh or cry.

When you arrive, realize though your trip has ended, your journey has not.

Get Started and Keep Going…but enjoy every moment of your journey.