The evidence suggests that there are many paths of life. The moment we arrive through the process of birth, we have begun a long journey down these pathways before us.

We are influenced by every action or inaction taken on our journey. In fact, everyone we come in contact with will influence where we are on life’s path. The journey is influenced not only by the emotional states of the moment, but by the commands/demands set upon us by friends, family, culture, and society overall.

Some will be timid, fearful, withdrawn, while others will be forceful, overbearing, and extremely demanding about where we are on the Life’s Path.

It has been suggested that if one stays focused and looks straight ahead, walking the line down the middle, he will be okay. They say by doing this, you will miss all the pitfalls that will arise on the highway, that indeed you will not be influenced by the side roads or the other people along the sides.

I would suggest that this seemingly safe road is not safe at all. Yes, you are assured of reaching the end, but at what cost to your health or psyche. If we look at a map or map quest to find how to get from here to there, it often is not a straight path. We are told once we are on the street in front of your house to go one block, turn left, go 500 feet, turn right, then go 2 miles, etc., until you reach your destination. These directions are often circuitous, and miles out of the way, and so is the straight path of life we find ourselves on. Many times along the way, we are frustrated, angered, not happy with where we are or where we are going. Many times the complaint may be I have followed the rules, followed the path as instructed, and I am still lost, and not happy where I am in life.

Let me suggest a path for you, and you alone. There will be many other people on it, all going in the same direction, perhaps even to the same place as you. At times you may stop and chat, or even travel together for a while, but it is still your path and true. You will arrive at its end and find peace and satisfaction having done so.

What is this path that I am suggesting. It is the same path you began at birth, with all the same pitfalls and obstructions, but it is a true path. We are calling it the Path of the Heart. The map, whether a fold out or map quest, guide or GPS, is controlled by the Heart, your Heart. “Wait a minute you, say what you are talking about, you’re not making any sense.”

What I am saying is trust the heart, physically as well as spiritually. It is at your center, your core self. It can and will be your Heart Compass. The Heart Center or Heart Mind will not lead you astray. You are the only one on that road, even if it is crowded and people are seemingly pushing you off track or onto a side road. If you are following your heart’s desires, hopes, and dreams and are faithful to them, you are following the path of the Heart.

This, by no means, suggests that life will be easy. What is does mean is that with all the distractions, missteps, faulty or other guidance, you will always remain true to yourself. Many lessons will be learned even if they are hard ones. You will have many bruises, cuts, or breaks along the way, but you will know “I did it my way, I was true to myself, and I did no harm to others, in fact, I honored and respected them. We traveled together on our separate and equal paths.”

On April 2, 2012, I turned sixty-two. It has been a long journey, and far from over. The path has not always been pleasant. This is not because Life has gotten in the way, nor because many things were unpleasant and hard. Invariably, it was the path I chose, many times on a side road, but what I have learned has been worth those sixty-two years. You see, many times unknowingly, I have followed my heart. I know many choices have not been perfect and I yet may stray, but I am following my Heart’s Path, my heart’s desire, and I know that the day will come when I have reached the end of that road, or should I say the intersection to yet another Heart’s path.

May you find your Heart’s path and may your journey be equally fantastic as mine is continuing to be. And yes, I will probably cross paths with you along the way.