The Quest

"The quest for a meaningful life is unending". (This is a quote that I picked up and forgot to acknowledge the author. My apologies!) This is much the same as knowing that the journey of life is what is important, not the conclusion. Though, at the end of my life, I would like to be remembered for my better qualities and deeds :-).

Questing has been an honoured activity for centuries. Looking for the Holy Grail, trolling the seas for hidden treasure, completing tasks that fulfill a dream (as seen in many fairy tales), the Greek myths, finding the treasure buried by the Knights Templar; these are examples of great quests through the ages.

This is what is interesting to me. The 'treasure' that was at the end of the quest transforms as the journey progresses. The quester becomes more self-aware. The outer institutions that seemed to instigate the quest may seem no longer important or seen in a different light. The core of knowing and confidence, the noticing of what worked and what didn't, the building of the questers' natural way of being in the world through the choices they make and the experiences they allow, the determination to be themselves no matter what, the taking of personal responsibility; this is the ever-expanding treasure. This is the beginning, the middle, and the end.

Love,  Barbara

"We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of our exploring will be to arrive back at the beginning, and know the place for the first time." - T.S. Eliot