A Long Walk
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey
Have you ever had the occasion to encourage someone to take a long walk off a short pier? I kinda like the phrase and have used it in jest more than once when someone has been a little irritating.
Some of my readers will know that I recently underwent surgery to replace my aortic valve. The operation was a success, but the patient has been a bit of a mess. Nothing like a little heart surgery to get you thinking about the end game. Thinking thoughts that take you into some deep and dark places. Thoughts that are not fun or helpful. I have refused to write woe-is-me stories.
So… What about this pier then?
This is a pier in Kitsap County, the Harper Fishing Pier. Seattle is on the other side of the sound, way past the end of the pier.
I like this shot. It is a long exposure so the ripples on the water have been smoothed away. Restful. This image is in the collection of wallpaper that graces my computer screens. I was in one of those reflective moments and I thought about that long walk off a short pier saying. Turning it around, I thought, we could wish for someone to enjoy a long walk to the end of a long pier.
Another shot I like is this one of Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, California. A very popular holiday destination.
Again, I used long exposure to calm the waters making a more restful image.
Oceanside Pier has a shop and restaurant at its end. A destination beckoning visitors to enjoy their walk to the end of this pier.
I didn’t take photos of the view from either of these piers beyond the end because… well there isn’t much of a view, just a broad horizon way out in the distance.
I did, however, take photos looking back down the pier. A view of where we came from.
So… this is my metaphor. Comparing life to a walk down a pier.
We don’t know when we will reach the end, but we know we will. We should enjoy turning and looking back along the way we have come. We should savour our defeats and our victories. Celebrate the many accomplishments and friendships we have made along the way. I pray we can accumulate many more before reaching the end of our pier.
I know, given my age, that I am approaching the end of my pier. But I haven’t reached a railing limiting my journey or a sign not to enter. That is still shrouded in the foggy mystery that is the future. To be honest, the end of the pier is not exciting to me. It’s all about the long walk to get there.
There is still roving to be done!
The world is a beautiful place. Share the beauty. Leave only footsteps.
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