September 23, 2018 • 46

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #12 Path

Follow your own path, no matter what people say.~Karl Marx

Tina’s challenge this week couldn’t be more fitting as we finalize our plans to sell our apartment, put most of our belongings into storage, and continue traveling for another year.

It’s a dream we’ve had for decades.  We’ve applied for jobs in Alaska, in China, in Botswana, and Yugoslavia.   None of them came to fruition.  So in the meantime, we’ve worked hard and dreamed of packing our suitcases for extended stays around the globe.

Over the years, our path in life has taken us to 6 states within America, but we will always be New Yorkers.

Brookly Bridge Footpath

Brooklyn Bridge Footpath. Shot with a Canon Rebel XT.

Our careers have taken us on a winding path from New York to New Jersey, Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and back to Michigan again.   Exasperated friends and family ask us, “Where are you living now?”  We’ve made our home in cities big and small, in suburban enclaves on cul-de-sacs, and on a rural road with a view of the White Mountains and Lake Winnepesaukee.

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.~Henry David Thoreau

Wagon:Lupins

At long last, our travels began in earnest in January.  Our first road trip took us through Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

Sedona with Aly

Our adventures continued in Europe.  We didn’t want to stop.

Seek the wisdom that will untie your knot. Seek the path that demands your whole being.~Rumi

Path Across the Courtyard at Oespedale degli Innocenti, Florence. Shot with a Fuji X-T2.

On this path let the heart be your guide.~Rumi

The Path of History. Shot at the Corsini Gardens, Florence with a Fuji X-T 2

Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy.~Sarah Ban Breathnach

The Path of Water, Rome. Shot wit a Fuji X-T2.

If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.~Anatole France

The Path of Elegance. Borghese Gallery, Rome.  Shot with a Fuji X-T2

As we share our plans with others, some people are incredulous;  a few are worried about the logistics.  But a good number of people tell us that we are living their dream.   I hope they heed the siren’s call.  They won’t regret it.

Yes, it is a daunting task to leave the relative safety of home, of the familiar.  It takes humility and an open mind to immerse yourself in another culture, stumble through a new language, and navigate through the logistics of everyday life, but I can tell you what I’ve learned so far:  it is worth it.  To be blunt, we all have a relatively short time on earth.  Life is precious, but precarious.  So is good health.  Dreams that last a lifetime need to be heeded.  They can bring tremendous joy and satisfaction if they are fulfilled, and bitterness if they are not.

And so, our journey continues.

Thanks again to Tina for hosting this week’s “Path” challenge, and to all of our participants for their responses. I will post the next challenge on Saturday, September 29th at noon.  I hope you join us!

For more information on how to join the challenges, click here. Most importantly, remember to TAG your post ” Lens-Artists ” so it appears in the Reader.

And finally, have an inspiring week!

Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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46 replies »

  1. Good for you! We do, indeed, have a relatively short time on this earth, and none of us know whether/when poor health will kick in….I have never done anything like you have, but fortunately I travelled a reasonable amount before my poor health arrived. And I still get about in a more limited way…I’m not giving up yet!

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  3. Loved all of these Patti, as well as your spirit of adventure! You and I are most fortunate that our husbands share the same dream😊. I’m not quite up to pulling up roots but we manage to do a month each year in some amazing place. This year Israel and Jordan. Next year?? Perhaps we will come visit YOU!!!

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    • Absolutely true, Tina. I’m very lucky and I don’t forget that for a second. 🙂 Israel and Jordan are next for you. That sounds wonderful. I’d love to catch up with you during our travels. Maybe I’ll visit you!!

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  6. You have much more experience of packing up than I do, Patti. We’re trying to condense 28 years of living in this house into a few boxes. Hours spent on distorted photos, consigned to the bin, but so many memories. 🙂 🙂 Struggling to keep up with WP right now but it’s good to know you’re living the dream.

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  14. Oh my gosh! Wow!! So exciting! I have not been keeping up on your posts lately so I thought I better check in and see what you were up to! I am so impressed you guys have applied for jobs around the world!! And you didn’t get them? Are they crazy? Maybe you need a good recruiter! 🙂
    I am excited to read about your future adventures and travels!! Hugs to you both

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  16. I am naturally shy but will make an exception in your case Patti…

    Beautiful pics interesting piece and Neil Diamond’s song comes to mind:

    Well I’m New York City born and raised
    But nowadays
    I’m lost between two shores
    L.A.’s fine, but it ain’t home
    New York’s home
    But it ain’t mine no more

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  19. Good on you Patti for doing what you want to do, even if it means hitting the road with no certainly of where it may take you. You could travel the world and visit all of us 🙂 Beautiful collection of images in this set. You are so right. Life is precious, and if you don’t take a chance today, you might not be able to get it tomorrow. So long as you have different back up plans for different situations, you’re pretty much good to go 🙂

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    • I love that idea, Mabel. Visiting blogging friends all over. Thanks for your encouraging words. Today we are surrounded by piles of boxes for our move, so I really appreciate your encouragement. 🙂

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