Facing the Forest

Do not go where a path may lead,

go instead where there is no path 

and leave a trail.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote currently describes my outlook on life.  Remember that saying about 2 roads diverging in a yellow wood?  Well I am not looking at 2 roads or even a simple fork in the road...I am facing a forest. There are no paths or signs telling me where to go.  The only way through is to forge ahead and create my own path or my own life.  

I recently left a place with perfectly groomed lawns, sidewalks, signs, and many direct paths to take to guarantee success.  This place was John Carroll University.  Even when I began college 3 short years ago, I never really was faced with a forest.  I was presented with several nice paths that could lead me in many directions, but they would all end at graduation and a degree.  Now this is a whole new situation.  There are no well groomed paths or a step by step plan to success.  The only thing I can do is move forward and hope that I make it to the other side.

So I really am taking Mr. Emerson's advice by choosing to go to a place where there is no path and leave a trail.  But how do I make that path?  Where do I even start?  These are the ultimate questions that I can only answer by trial and error.  I guess this is the time in my life where it is ok to fall down, go the wrong direction, or be spontaneous and end up in a whole new place.  That is the funny thing about being in a forest.  You can't really see where you are going or what direction you're even going in.  But it's not entirely about where you end up but rather the journey that takes you there.  I have already started making my own path by doing multiple things.  Now am I going about it the right way? Well for me I guess I am, but if it doesn't work I can simply turn around and start over.  That is an upside to being a college grad with no job, I have all the time in the world to find my way.