You Are On A Good Trail

A trail is a footpath, course, or route that is either beaten down by animal or human foot traffic to the point that it is visually distinguishable from the surrounding countryside. The title of this article comes from a line in the book and film "Dances with Wolves." Kicking Bird had come to believe that Lt. John Dunbar had stepped away from his old path in life and onto a way of living that the Sioux tribe understood and believed to be a good way to live.

A lot of wisdom is imparted in those words. Lt. Dunbar had endured a harsh life, driven by the circumstances of war, an ill and insane commander, the cutting of communications with his people, and yet, it was these things that had put him into an environment where he could open his eyes to see the wondrous beauty of life that walks hand-in-hand with danger and excitement. I think of Yellowstone Park when I think of the film. If you have not seen it, go there soon. Don't wait until you are too old to get out and hike the back-country trails. That place is more of a life's experience than a park. It is not like Disney World. Don't expect to see it all in a few days.

The wisdom of the phrase "You are on a good trail," is found in the metaphor, the abstract meaning that is deeper than the literal reference of the quality of a footpath. Everyone must define for him or herself what is good. If you have accepted a standard of belief, it is easier. For example, if you are a Christian, you believe in God and that Jesus was his son who took upon himself your sin. Your trail of goodness is to live your life in a way that pleases God. If you are moral, you conduct yourself as a model citizen. If you are a philanthropist, your trail is to seek out the downtrodden so that you can bestow your bounty upon them, or you preserve the fine things like art, or perhaps you fund the construction of a music hall for everyone to enjoy.

But, suppose that you are all about making as much money as you can, any way that is possible. If you try some scheme that lets you do that, are you on a good trail? For you, the answer may be yes, assuming that you can live with the knowledge that you have wrecked other people's lives along the way and you understand that at the end of your trail you will find a grave in which you and your money can be deposited. I don't think Kicking Bird would say that you are on a good trail if you only live your life for yourself. On a happy note, anyone can jump off of a sad and unfulfilling trail and onto one that is full of grace. Essentially, that is what Lt. John Dunbar did.

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