On the cusp of a precipice

         I left the car off to the side of the road and started walking the narrow path up the mountain.  The sky was clear and I soon began to warm up under the morning sun.  The elevation started to increase rapidly, forcing the path to double back and forth up the mountain.  It was hard, tiring work following the path as it continued to climb.  I paused a moment to look around and watch a car pass by on the road far below me.  In the distance I saw and heard a motorboat speed away.  I turned back to the path and pressed on.  At one point I noticed where others had left the path and scrambled up the slope to create their own short cut.  The whole reason I choose this path was to experience what it had to offer.  Finally I crested a rise and the path lead me along the side of the mountain.  The sound of the world faded behind me as I travelled deeper into a valley where the path was swallowed up by trees.

        The path led me along the edge of a stream to a bridge that crossed over to the other side.  I stopped in the middle of the bridge and closed my eyes.  The gentle sound of the stream and the coolness of the forest melted away my weariness after the arduous climb up the mountain.  After having been refreshed I continued on down the path.  I did meet others along the way, some in a hurry some not.  We were all there for a reason, we all had our own story.  At this point I noticed a few trees fallen down crisscrossing the stream, weathered by time and age.  The stream picked up speed as the downward slope increased, cutting deep into the earth. I saw a trail diverge from the main path and descend to the edge of the ravine.  I felt compelled to follow it.  I carefully walked down to the very edge and sat down with my back against a tree and my feet inches from a sheer drop.

        I have come to the cusp of the precipice.  The ground drops out of sight before me and I could almost touch the top of a tree in front of me.  I can not see where the next step will bring me.  I do not know what will happen if I continue down this new trail.  I am afraid to move forward.  This new trail opens up exciting possibilities, but equally possible dangers.  The old path has gotten me this far but to move forward I must overcome my fear and continue.  I need to take the next step and trust the maker of my path.