“The journey” is one of the most commonly used metaphors in coaching. And “the path” is one of the simplest, yet most powerful metaphors that we use in life. We find references to the path in the writings of some of our greatest writers, thinkers and spiritual leaders: Emerson, Thoreau, Marianne Williamson, Kahlil Gibran, the Buddha. And it is a metaphor that we can all connect with – be it the path we are on or the path we have lost. The paths we are determined to find or the paths we hope to create.

I was reminded by Robyn McMaster last week of the value of ‘naturalistic intelligence’. (Put simply: go outside and get inspiration from the natural world.) I realised when I was out walking at the weekend that following a physical path often puts me in mind of the ‘other’ path I am on. Times when I have a specific goal in mind and walk, hard and fast, to reach it. Times when the path ahead has seemed impossible, impassable. Times when I am happy to meander and see where the road takes me.

I thought of all the photos I have taken over the years: a winding path up a mountain, a narrow path through the woods, a rocky path strewn with boulders, a muddy path full of potholes that I will have to walk round or squelch through.

And thought of times when I’ve lost my way, but always found a path to follow. Even if it’s just a sheep track cutting across the moor. Or the rocky line of the shore.