The Journey of Four

The Journey of Four  

 BY: Ron Brown

There once was a man who each day would awake and lift a heavy load. As he journeyed throughout each new day he carried it as it was his lot in life. He had brought it on himself he thought the weight of it would slow him down and others would be repealed by appearance. Yet he did it just the same every day with only his echo and shadow his companion.

There once was a man who snipped and snarled lashing out at those who came close a lion in a cage who thrashes his claws at the very hands who feed him.  Though his position status would rise, yet his growl and swipes of claw his true demise. He was alone for no one dared be near this crazed animal.  This justified his existence of lonely fortitude.

There once was a man who gave each day pouring from him like blood droplets to nourish others yet he didn’t replenish his resource.  The offerings became thin for a source can only give nourishment from its worth. This martyr of selflessness was the most selfish of all though he could not see that adoration was his only nourishment and emptiness the result of need.

There once was a man who let life happen. He’d fool himself to think that acquaintances were his friends, those coworkers his closest few but he could not see. No glasses could correct this mistaken vision view, for he was blinded to what truly mattered the mirror image of me no you.

Yes these four went on each day through a highway of circles, sameness and dread.  Yet one day they met at a roadside rest stop along the way.  Each seeing himself for the first time each other.  The man with his load still panting from his heavy load sat down on the bench and in realization just cried.  For he had been repeating the same old habits that had him sabotage his own progress.

The second man took a swipe at him as he always had done, but then rather than devour this ample meal he sat next to him and joined his plight. Realizing that swiping and lashing out was not a life nor truly gave him any delight.

The third man dripping what was once nourishing drops of worth saw only clear droplets in his trail and saw the other two on the bench – and sat down there as well. Tired of the journey and weak from not replenishing the very nutrients to not only sustain but empower him through.

The forth seeing three others brought him full of delight – for at least he would not be lonely tonight.  But then the closer he got to the other three, buckled his knees before the bench in fright for there were all him and again he was alone tonight. 

The four no more met that night, speaking of their faults and beliefs that held them so tight.  Each shared what repercussions resulted his demise. They all listened closely learning with insight.   On how the universe caused them to meet this very night.  Each fading into ONE by day light – no longer four but one with insight.  There by that roadside sat I last night – for they were not others but myself that night.

So with clear perspective I rise from decades of despair being real with who I am and the true destination I see now clear. For I am not four but one no longer bound by past, for the future is mine to healthily share with those life brings me who want to be there.  No heavy load is needed to weigh me down. No swiping at others who get to close and show that they care. No feeding others and not myself for how can I feed another with myself left bare. And no longer settling for being alone in darkness no more – I love the sun light and seek those whose values I share.

Four became one in the reflection by the roadside. Being truly well I rise this day not 4 but 1 healthy, strong, wise and sure having no need of sabotage no more. BE Truly Well my life every more.