There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
“I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong.”
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What’s right for you…….just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.”
Shel Silverstein
Five wise men got lost in the forest.
The first one said:
– I will go the left – my intuition tells me that.
The second one said:
– I will go the right – because “the right” comes from the word “rightness”.
The third one said:
– I will go back – we came from there, it means I will go out from the forest.
The fourth one said:
– I will go straight – we should move forward, the forest will end and something new will open.
The fifth said:
– You are all wrong. There is a better solution. Wait for me.
He found the tallest tree and climbed into it. While he was climbing everyone else scattered towards their own sides. From above he saw where they should go to leave the forest faster. Now he could even see in what order the other wise men will reach the end of the forest. He climbed higher and saw the shortest way. He understood the problem and found the best solution! He knew that he did everything right. And the others were wrong. They were stubborn and they didn’t listen to him. He was the real Wise Man!
But he was wrong.
Everyone was right. The one who went to the left, found himself in the thicket. He had to starve and fight with wild animals. But he learned how to survive in the forest; he became a part of the forest and could teach others the same.
The one, who went to the right, met thieves. They took everything from him and made him steal with them. But after some time, he had woken up something in those thieves that they have forgotten – humanity and compassion. The remorse was so strong in some of them, that after his death they also became the wise men.
The one, who went back, made a pathway through the forest, which soon became a road for those who wanted to walk in the forest without being afraid of getting lost.
The one, who went straight, became a pioneer. He visited the places where no one else was and opened wonderful new possibilities for people, amazing healing plants and magnificent animals.
The one, who climbed into the tree, became a specialist of finding short ways. People turned to him when they wanted to find the fastest way to deal with their problems, even if it didn’t lead to any development.
This is how the five wise men reached their destiny.
The path that each of us choose in life, will be different. There is no “one” path, but many. Each of us has a unique inner guide; each of us has a responsibility to choose their own path. Sometimes we believe that people should not take the path of suffering, but that might be where they find their destiny. Each of us has an opportunity to learn from our choices and mistakes. When we accept this in one another, we will find peace and freedom.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
I’m finally learning this lesson of listening to myself and relaxing, realizing there is no one “right way” even for me, let alone for others. Great reminders. Thanks Karen.
So true Brad. We are only responsible for our own choices. Through experience we learn this wisdom. Thankyou. 🙏🏻
My pleasure. 🙂
Karen this is wonderfully thought provoking, I’ll need to reread a few times.
And hope that it all sinks and settles in deep! thank you for sharing these 🙂 peace and cheers, Debi
Thankyou Debi. I always appreciate your thoughts. Peace to you 🙏🏻
you’re welcome Karen! peace to you too, wishing you a lovely weekend 🙂
Wow, this is amazing. Thank you Karen.
Thankyou Nico. Peace to you. 🙏🏻
nice, Karen!
seems advantageous
with guidance
from trees 🙂
I agree David, the trees can certainly guide us along the path. 🌿🍀🌿
A wonderful post at so many levels, Karen. Sometimes we understand only after a long time why our path took all those turns. I often follow my gut, and sometimes the result seems like a fiasco at first, but later I can see why things happened the way they did.
You express this experience so well Helen. It isn’t always clear why we head down a certain path, but there always seems to be a reason. Thankyou 💚
I’ve been thinking along these lines lately, too. Everyone must march to his/her own drummer, following his/her own truth. 🙂
I think in light of all the changes we are seeing in the world, this is important wisdom to remember. Thankyou Eliza. 💕
I agree! As my spouse often says, ‘Everyone is just trying to find their own slice of heaven.’ 🙂
So glad that I’m in the right path!
So glad you are too Mr K 😇
Ha! So very true Karen. ❤
Diana xo
It is!! 💚
Love this, Karen, though I must confess I’m still a ‘work in progress.’ I do know when I’ve gone against my gut, I hasn’t ended well…
We are all a work in progress! And yes I listen to my gut a lot more these days. Thanks Lori. 💕
The more we listen, the more we know what is best for us.
This post is so great! Thank you Karen. ❤
It is in the practice that we find our way. Thankyou Mary, have a lovely day 💕💚
Great and very true post, Karen 🙂
We do all need to find our own path and we will all go through some tough times for us, they might be different from person to person, but if we listen, we will also learn this way.
Very true Irene!! Thankyou 💕
Excellent poem, good advice!
Thankyou! Nice to have you here. 🙏🏻
Karen LOVE this one so wise and true. We all know deep down we should listen to our inner voice and stop listening to others who think they know whats good for them must be good for us.
I agree Kath. Sometimes hard to do, but always the right decision. 💕