There Is No Path

Traveler, there is no path.  Paths are made by walking. 
--Antonio Machado (1875-1939)

True, if you think about Heraclitus and the "same river twice" concept.  Also true that we don't read the same book twice and that no two people can read exactly the same book.  We all bring our own vision, feelings, experiences, and circumstances to each situation in which we might find ourselves.

In a sense, everything is new to us if we really look, 

if we pay attention--

even things we see over and over again.

So..."there is no path" since every step creates the path anew, no matter how many have traveled in the same direction.  No matter how many times we have done the same thing or how many times we have seen a person.  If you are happy and paying attention or sad and paying attention  some inner self is always adjusting,

 making slight alterations (positive or negative) to the inner self and to the way you view things--at this moment.

I operate on automatic pilot so much of the time.  I don't see what is right in front of me.  You know how you suddenly notice something on the shelf that has been there forever, and you've not seen it for months?  My powers of observation and attention need work.  I need to pay closer attention to what I read or sew or what is going on around me and give greater consideration to the path I'm walking and creating as I go.

Machado's quote has stayed with me for days.  I need consistent reminders....