Today, Friday 3rd April 2009, I set out to drive to some local shops. Almost immediately my path was blocked by cars queuing up to get along a road which had been narrowed to prevent lorries and other heavy vehicles crossing a weak bridge.

I turned round to take a different route. Soon my path was blocked by another queue of cars. I parked my car nearby and set off for a short walk. After a few minutes, the pavement disappeared and I had to climb a steep slope to access a parallel pathway.

Soon another steep slope came into view but this time steps helped me up. The road ahead had no pavements and was being tarmacked. The only people on the road were workers in helmets. I realized that the path was probably closed.

I continued my walk anyway trying to look as if I had every right to be there! No one questioned this right and I reached the end of the road. I walked through a gap in the barriers and spotted a notice saying

“PATH CLOSED!”

My sister commented that most people would have given up the journey long ago! I was probably helped by the fact that I did not realise that the path was officially closed. Sometimes what we don’t know can help us achieve goals we would otherwise have given up on.

Today’s drive and walk were a parable of life. You seldom fail to meet up with obstacles of various kinds en route to any destination or goal.
Keep going regardless and a path will usually open up even if it is officially closed!