Divergent Convergence
By Jesse Greist
Message for All
January 27, 2019
Sam was a visionary, an adventurer and a dreamer. They loved nothing more than setting out into unknown territory on an unplanned day, heading towards an undiscovered destination. That’s just how Sam was. So, when Sam awoke on one such non-specific day, they rolled out of bed, filled a water bottle, made a snack, laced up their favorite pair of boots and headed out to see what they could see. Soon, Sam found themself walking along the bank of a smooth, glassy river, which quietly whispered of bubbling possibility as it ambled along, the perfect companion for a downhill stroll.
Sam and the river flowed along through the forest until they came to a point of divergence. The river abruptly and non-surreptitiously split into three streams, and these streams each headed off in different directions without so much as a backward glance between them. To the East, one stream disappeared into the high grass and wildflowers of a wide meadow. To the South, a stream bumped and bubbled downward through a landscape of smooth colorful stones. And to the West, the final subdivision of the river continued on through the soft moss and old growth trees of the forest.
Sam paused. Which way should they go? Each stream called out, asking for company, hinting at what could be. The pause turned into long minutes of contemplation, which filled Sam with a fear of inaction, so they held their breath, rolled an imaginary die and set their feet to the East, through the meadow. What a GREAT choice! The sweet smelling wildflowers! The buzzing bees! The whimsical butterflies, and warm sun all made this a worthwhile path. Sam and the stream continued their dialogue, appreciating all the joys of this path, but soon another voice rose from somewhere within Sam’s grassy footfalls. This voice asked questions about the other streams. It wondered about those smooth stones and mossy trees. It got louder and louder and began to paint over the meadow with deep shades of doubt. What if? What if one of those other streams is the one I’m supposed to follow? The question grew and grew until it was all Same could think about.
Before they knew what they were doing, Sam’s feet found themselves guided backwards, upstream, back to the spot where the river split. A hop, skip and splash later, Sam was following the south bound stream, sliding down stones, marveling at the limitless color combinations, admiring the timbre of pure rock melodies, and savoring the sound of a thousand tiny waterfalls. THIS is the path for me, thought Sam in earnest. But no sooner had the thought crossed Sam’s mind, it was sent ricocheting away by that same questioning voice. “What if I made the wrong choice? What if I should have stayed on the meadow stream? I already know that one. It’s safe, and beautiful! Or what if the forest stream is the one I’m meant to follow?” Again, the questions guided Sam’s feet where they had been and they found themselves back at the divergence, this time staring down the forest stream. One foot moved, then the other, and into the woods they went. Soft moss welcomed their steps. Trees intoned ancient melodies into the breeze, and the stream itself sang a softer lullaby. Shadows made Sam more aware of the light. Birds called out from hidden perches, and Sam was happy.
As can be expected, it wasn’t long before that pesky voice began to rise once more, spreading doubt across the idyllic scene like peanut butter across a breadscape. Is this the path for me? Am I meant for something different? What am I missing by being here? The questions swirled and eddied like the stream’s water itself, and THAT is what gave Sam an answer. For all the swirling and bouncing and diverting that this water does, it always flows just one way: down. So that’s what I will do. I mustn’t turn back. I must flow on in endless song…
Sam’s feet agreed. They were lifted, barely touching the ground as they pushed on. They tuned out the questions, and tuned in to tree speak and birdsong. The bark, the leaves, the shadows, the small sticks all telling me to keep going until…
Sam rounded a corner and it all came together. Literally, the three streams rejoined in a spectacular confluence. Flowers, forest and smooth stones became one, and the river restored to her full glory. Then the most spectacular thing of all: The river moved quickly down one final hill and emptied into the ocean.
This is it! Thought Sam. This is where I am supposed to be, right here, right now. This river, those streams, this ocean, they are all one path and I’m standing so firmly on it!