April 10th, 2023
I often find myself traveling during the change of seasons. A couple of weeks ago, I went to my birth state of Kentucky, and while riding on the road, I saw the earth go through a change of her own. I tend to think of a handful of elements of my life because there is only so much you can do while sitting in the car for hours. I thought of where I came from, and I thought about my life presently, which inevitably made me contemplate my future. The one thing I love about the road is that it is a great listener because it has nothing to offer you but time and leaves it to you to figure out.
During my time in Kentucky, I learned that the past or your upcoming does not limit your future. You can be born in a cabin in the middle of the woods with a poor childhood to become one of the most influential people to ever be on this planet. With hard work and believing in yourself. Also, the past is there for us to learn from, reminisce on, cry over, laugh at, to do all sorts of things that influence our direction on the roads we go down in life. That is a good thing but we have to remember where to leave it, precisely in the past.
Another thing I learned is that life finds a way. During my time there. The first blooms of spring were sprouting, wildlife was coming out of a long slumber, and a couple of people in my life were blessed to be given the rare chance of having a child. While I was helping one of them get their nursery ready, I thought to myself, already? Am I at the stage of my life where I get to experience a new life being formed? When the only part of life that I have witnessed, besides growing up myself, was the end of loved ones. It took me a bit to realize that and once I did, it felt like one of the dark clouds over me cleared and reminded me that not every cloud which darkens the day brings rain and that afterward, the sun will be shining brighter than before. That moment showed me that love and life will always find a way even in uncertain times and that time does not stop for anyone. I do know how much time I was given by the Norns (In Norse Polytheism, the Norns are three wise women spinners who determined every allotted life span. One spun out the thread of each life, another measured its length, and the third decided when the thread should be cut.) , and I also do not know what is in store for my life, sure I have plans and goals but I do not know really what the gods of the faith I follow have planned for me. But I do trust them. And that no matter our faiths, we all can and should enjoy this gift of life because if we do not, then what is the point?
Our ancestors during the first of spring celebrated life, two examples are Eostre (Easter), and Sigrblot, which roughly translates to victory sacrifice that would be given for the coming summer of raiding. No, I am not saying to go raid places, what I am saying is this. During the warmer months, we get to go out and experience life. After all, that is what spring is, life. In order to do so we have to sacrifice something, time, money, ETC. During the coming months, I hope we all can take any amount of time to enjoy the life that is not only within us but that surrounds us because someday, it will not be there to enjoy. And for those struggling to enjoy life and find their way, remember, with hard work, and belief, you will find your way.
Peyton.
