This beautiful path begins just a few feet from by back door. I've written about it many times. Many walks start at my back gate and follow that path. Within 30 seconds I can travel from modern US suburbia to mountain forest. The path proceeds along a small stream. Walking upstream I can stay on that path for more than a mile. The sound of rolling water is sings along and sets my steps to a marvelous natural music.

I know that I'm only a few feet away from thousands of my fellow Davis County residents with their metal clad autos. But for me, I'm surrounded by natures beauty.

Some weeks ago on one of these walks I noticed that a favorite little tree had been bulldozed. In fact, about 50 feet of stream had been defoliated. My heart sank. I felt awful. The site ruined my walk. For the next few days I avoided walking on my little path to this desecrated spot. New homes are being built. This is progress. At least to some.

Finally, I decided to go back. I still felt ill as I passed the wreckage. I just looked way and pretended that it had never happened. I was able to get to my mountain. My dogs and I enjoyed our walk in nature. I've gone on many walks since that day. Each time the pit I feel gets a little less painful. I do worry.

More houses will be built. More progress will happen. An perhaps one day the path will disappear.Or at least protions of it may be gone. And my way to the mountain will be lost.

I live in a nice home in Farmington. It's very comfortable. It's well built, stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I really see no reason to ever move. Well, at least as things stand now. But of all the things that I like about where I live, by far the most important thing is that stupid little path.

It cost me nothing. It may have little monetary value. And yet the quality of my life is immeasurably improved because it is there. Just outside my door. My little vacation in a minute. Someplace to start adventures any day of the year. Rain or shine, snow, rain, that little path invites me. I respond with enthusiasm.

The day that little path is gone will be the day that I no longer have a reason to live here. Not because it changes my home. It changes my heart. It is the spice that flavors everything else. It's a small thing, but without the path this house is no different than any of a hundred thousand other residences. Without that spice, it just doesn't matter if I live here or anywhere else.

Why does this matter? Well, maybe it doesn't. But to me it explains many things. For one thing, I wonder what "the path" is that keeps me interested in a job. At IHC it was my boss. When he wasn't selected for the CIO position then our relationship changed. With the change in that relationship I lost my enthusiasm.

At UEN there are several "Paths" that keep me interested. I love the interaction with customers. I've enjoyed the transition from ATM, T-1 and sonet circuits to Ethernet. NLR, Western Lights, FRGP, the Quilt and Statenets all add spice to what I do. Managing Technical people also provides interesting and challenging experiences.

Deciding what matters and what doesn't is difficult. Bottom line, the big "Path" issue is my ability to consider new ideas and try new things. I like feeling that I can make mistakes when I try these new things and still retain the respect of those who work with me. Seeing ideas develop into reality is incredibly important.

I need to make sure that my UEN paths don't get bulldozed. I need to go for adventure walks nearly every day, at home and at work...........
9:51:31 PM    comment []