"The Manual"

Four short books bound into one "manual" for living. Everything a good sexton needs to find her/his way. I recently stumbled on the uncharted path ahead of me. The terrain was rocky and the switch back steep. I was reminded of an earlier time when I would hike 17+ miles on the Appalachian Trail. Tired, weary, reluctant; there was always something beyond and unknown to me that I wanted to see. I wondered for a moment if I should return to the camp below, but desire to journey on won out over doubt. No damage done except a bruised ego. I grabbed hold of the outstretched hand of a stranger, and reclaimed my balance. Something in the "manual" about that as well. Thanks for the hand. Journey on.