Sometimes it's ok to follow those who've gone before you; that you trust to know the way. You can't always be the trailblazer. It can be hard to forge the path all alone.
The question usually comes down to "who can I trust"?
If you feel you don't really have anyone you would follow into the darkness of the forest, or take you so close to the threat and still be safe, you feel completely alone.
When you have the love and support of family and friends, a clear path of who you are and where you came from, you can let go and trust.
If you haven't had a strong fearless warrior leading the way, you may feel afraid at your vulnerability.
If you never get close to the road, you can't really appreciate the trees.
What if you always wanted to have that someone, but they just weren't there, so you learned to be alone and fight for your own survival.
How can you trust anyone when you don't believe there is anyone really there in the first place!? And after awhile you wouldn't recognize them anyway because you're so used to the empty space in your life.
Faith and trust are the stones that hold you solid in the moving river. They give you a firm footing, and even when they seem slippery, they don't let the water push you past where you want to be if you just dig in your heels.
But how would you know that unless you actually get into the flow? If you just stand on shore, you'll only see a fast moving river and not realize the solid stance you could take if you just ventured out and experienced it?
A cold wet toe could the most amazing moment you've ever experienced. I'm living on the edge of the river right now and just setting my foot delicately into the vast unknown. The place where I'm discovering more and more how to trust and keep the faith, even when the water is the deepest.
What comes out on the other side can make you wonder why you didn't step in sooner! But then you realize that when you're only a cub, and it's ok sometimes to follow the one who knows much better than you how to bring you safely home.
Until Later,
PC