DP Photo Challenge: path

/ Su Leslie
Path through urban bush, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

A change of direction, and an unknown path. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

When I was a child, my parents had a very clear path mapped out for my life; university, profession, marriage, children.

Although I’ve reached  some of those way-points, I’ve done so by following — sometimes just stumbling across — very different pathways to those that my parents envisaged.

Path through urban woods, Auckland, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

Safe, flat, easy terrain. A clear path, but perhaps not the right one. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

For many years now, I’ve been navigating a series of trails called “motherhood.” I’ve fallen over quite a lot and got lost far too many times, but when I look back, it’s with some sense of achievement.

Now that the boy-child has left home, those trails are less and less meaningful, and I need a new direction.

Trail through bush at Blue Lake, Rotorua, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

Unsure what’s round the corner. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

I’m not sure what path 2017 will take me down. I’m not even sure there will be an actual route — I may have to make my own. I’m pretty sure I’ll stumble around, complain loudly about not having a map, and I will certainly lose my way sometimes.

But I hope that whatever path I make, it takes me to places where I can live simply and do good. But most of all, I intend to enjoy the walk.

Clearing in native bush, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

A clearing in the woods, but maybe no path. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

A contribution to the Daily Post Photo Challenge on the theme of path.

 

 

 

37 thoughts on “DP Photo Challenge: path”

  10. I received some very good advice from a long time mentor shortly after I retired several years ago. My retirement was sudden and unplanned and I left rather unmoored.
    He said that when the path is not obvious, and there are many alternatives to choose from, there is a risk of being paralyzed by indecision and therefore doing nothing. He suggested that it’s better to choose a path and later change directions than to do nothing … and that’s the path I’ve been following.

    However, after the chaos and disappointments of 2016, I too am at a bit of a loss of direction when looking at 2017. I hope we both find success at redefining ourselves in the coming new year 🙂

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  13. Pingback: Path: Boats | What's (in) the picture?

  14. Beautifully “said” both photographically and in words. I’ve spent all of my life stumbling around managing to accomplish whatever victories that I have by chance so I offer you a warm welcome to my often chaotic world Complaining loudly is permitted, even encouraged at times! lol

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  16. Your pictures are just amazing, Su and do perfectly reflect your thoughts of a unknown future. And I love how you chose your own ways instead of walking the treadout ones 😉 I also do this a lot 😄 And like you said: it’s best to simply enjoy the walk. We can make plans as much as we want, life often choses a different for us. So why not just lean back and enjoy the ride? 😄
    Wish you a wonderful jouney with amazing pit-stops to take pictures from! xxxxxxxx

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  17. Beautiful take on path and such warm personal opening up – which I really think helps so many folks, Su
    And “live simply and do good”
    ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
    And one thing to add – to the “walking” – also snapping those photos

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    • Thank you. The walk is quite different when I have my camera. I notice more and appreciate things like light much more. I do wonder sometimes if I’m”overshares”, but it’s who I am. And I like that in others; helps me to feel I know people, especially online.

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