Ahmad Al Charif

Sometimes, i get lost in my own thoughts. I just get this glazed look in my eyes, as i wander off into the vast streets and alleyways of my own mind. Most people don’t get what that means, even though they’ve heard it many times, if not used it themselves: “getting lost in thought”. But the concept of being lost in general, makes it seem like a bad thing, doesn’t it? Because when something is lost, all is not well, until it is found again, and thus resolved.

Lately I’ve been wondering about that. Because getting lost in one’s thoughts, also means that there are a lot of thoughts there to begin with. Actually the funny thing is that i just realized I’m currently lost in thought as i write this, i see so many different paths, so many ideas to follow through with, so many options. It’s like standing in the middle of a forest, and trying to figure out where to go without any kind of tools to aid you, compass, GPS, etc…

It’s pretty stressful, isn’t it? Always worrying about the next step, but consider this: What if there is no right path? What if all roads lead somewhere, and every single step you take regardless of direction brings you a step closer to something beautiful and breath taking? What if there is no actual path, but rather we make up our own as we go along?

Throughout my life, people have been trying to tell me what to do, how to do it, where, and when. Sometimes even what to wear while doing so. But i look around, when i get lost in thought (as i often do), and i wonder what makes them eligible to be giving directions. Are they happy with the path they are proposing? And surprisingly enough, the answer is a solid no most of the time even if they do not care to admit it to themselves. Standing at this busy intersection, while i try to figure out which way is the right way to go, i suddenly realize there is no such thing.

Paved roads, are most definitely the easiest to travel. Already discovered, conquered, and documented. But what if Benjamin Franklin thought that way? Or the Wright brothers, or even Thomas Edison? Those people shaped the evolution of the world back in their time, and many of the things we now take for granted are there simply because they did not choose a familiar path. Picture that, for a brief moment. A life without electricity, airplanes, or light bulbs.

The familiar, is safe. It is less risky. It is the tradition. But it is not therefore by substitution what is right. Make up your own path. Don’t be afraid to get lost once in a while, that’s a good thing. Getting lost sometimes means that you are about to discover something entirely new, and revolutionize the human race…