Exploration!

One of my favorite Seminary professors introduced me to this quote many years ago.

“We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring is to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T.S. Eliot

Part of life’s journey is an exploration of ourselves. It means not being afraid of introspection. It is a process of self-reflection that leads to knowing more about who I am. It is the way to building strength, courage and character.

The journey is replete with twists and turns, forks along the way, stones in the road, and sometimes boulders completely blocking the pathway. Life is not an easy road. Neither is building strength, courage and character. The journey is a risk, and always involves learning things about yourself that you never knew before.

But the rewards along the journey are priceless. Each decision to move forward lets me see myself more clearly. Each time I must handle a heavy boulder, I feel strength growing inside me. Every harsh step along the stony path builds my courage to press on.

And truly, when my exploration ceases, I do arrive where I started, back to my self, and knowing myself better than I did before.