MANUAL FOR CONSERVING PATHS
1] The path begins with a
crossroads. There you can stop and think what direction to follow. But don’t
spend too much time thinking or you’ll never leave
the spot. Once you have taken the first step, forget the crossroads forever or
you will always torture yourself with the useless question: “did I take the
right path?”
2] The path doesn’t last forever.
It is a blessing to travel the path for some time, but one day it will come to
an end, so always be prepared to leave it at any moment. Don’t get too used to
anything. Neither to the hours of euphoria, nor to the endless days when
everything seems so difficult and progress is so slow. Don’t forget that sooner
or later an angel will appear and your journey will reach an end.
3] Honour your path. It was
your choice, your decision, and just as you respect the ground you step on,
that ground will respect your feet. Always do what is best to conserve and keep
your path and it will do the same for you.
4] Be well equipped. Carry a small
rake, a spade, a penknife. Understand that penknives are no use for dry leaves,
and rakes are useless for herbs that are deep-rooted. Know also what tool to
use at each moment.
5] The path goes forward and
backward. At times you have to go back because something was lost, or else a
message to be delivered was forgotten in your pocket. A well tended path
enables you to go back without any great problems.
6] Take care of the path
before you take care of what is around you. Don’t be distracted by the dry
leaves at the edges or by the way that others are looking after their paths.
Use your energy to tend and conserve the ground that accepts your steps.
7] Be patient. Sometimes the
same tasks have to be repeated, like tearing up weeds or closing holes that appear
after unexpected rain. Don’t let that annoy you – that is part of the journey.
8] Paths cross. People can
tell what the weather is like. Listen to advice, and make your own decisions.
You alone are responsible for the path that was entrusted to you.
9] Nature follows its own
rules. In this way, you have to be prepared for sudden changes in Autumn,
slippery ice in Winter, the temptations of flowers in Spring, thirst and
showers in the Summer. Make the most of each of these seasons, and don’t
complain about their characteristics.
10] Make your path a mirror
of yourself. By no means let yourself be influenced by the way that others care
for their paths. You have your soul to listen to, and the birds to tell what
your soul is saying. Let your stories be beautiful and pleasant to everything
around you. Above all, let the stories that your soul tells during the journey
be echoed at each and every second of the path.
11] Love your path. And may
the Lord guide you and help you every single day !
PAULO COELHO
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