alone

  There are times you just have to walk alone. It's a lesson I feel many have failed to learn in these modern times. That is the cause of so much mental unrest, all this wokeness stuff. There are times when not only will some disagree with you, sometimes everyone does. That's alright though, just keep walking along until the next fork in the road. Like Yogi Berra is purported to have said, when you come to a fork in the road, take it. That is what I have always done and that isn't changing anytime soon. 

 The truth never changes, only circumstances. For that reason you shouldn't attempt to alter the truth just wait for a new set of circumstances. Everything does change over time, it is new and exciting when you're young, mostly annoying when you get older. In fact, the older you get the more annoyed you become, at least that is my experience. I'm wondering what is taking so long. You haven't learned anything from history yet? You can rewrite that all you want, but it isn't changing the truth. What is that they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Did you know that comes from a biblical proverb? It's a caution. 

  I try to remain stoic for the most part. That's the product of my New England upbringing. We are all products of our environments. We all tend to change a bit, adopt to whatever new environment we find ourselves in. It is a subconscious thing, the instinct for survival you might say. A concession made in order to "fit in" or gain popularity for a perceived gain. Perhaps that is what bothers us elderly folks as we generally quit doing that as our circumstance have changed. No longer do we feel that need to "fit in" or require the acceptance of others. We have learned to walk alone. 

  That isn't to say we don't want and enjoy company along the way, quite the opposite is true, being alone isn't any fun. It is just the willingness to walk alone when necessary that has changed. It is often uncomfortable and can cause bitter feelings but we swallow that pill anyway. It is that independent spirit that drives us. Not a policy of isolation, not leading or following, just walking alongside. The truth is, in the end, we are all alone. No matter how big the send off, the next journey is one you take alone. The hope being, not for long though.