Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Trailblazer - Symbol And Metaphor


"Remember what Bilbo used to say:
Its a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet,
there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."

- J.R.R. Tolkien, "Lord Of The Rings"

In all great accomplishments and discoveries someone must be the
first to imagine them, pursue them, and ultimately bring them into
existence. This unique someone is the Trailblazer.

The Trailblazer is The Great Achiever; the Changer of History.
The Trailblazer is the Sovereign Lone Wolf who breaks down the
old, established barriers...travels into uncharted territory...and
establishes bold, new Horizons for others to follow.

The Trailblazer is the upsetter of the status quo: the true individual
who takes the first step on hallowed grounds which have never
before experienced a human Footprint. And while the vast majority
of people live in fear of Change, the Trailblazer is that one rare and
Self-Confident Adventurer who has the imagination, perseverance,
and courage to follow their Dream, their Path, their beckoning Star,
to its Journey's end while always embracing their personal Destiny.

He, or she, is the founder of new cities and industries; the un-Veiler
of new ideas and concepts; the creator of new inventions and
innovations; the maker of history; the remembered and celebrated;
the Hero and Heroine of fable, mythology, legend, and history.
Trailblazers are the Einsteins, the Newtons, the da Vincis, and the
Galileos: they are the immortals that are admired and respected
throughout Time.

However, although admired, respected, and honored today, we must
not forget the heavy price each and every Trailblazer willingly and
enthusiastically paid while pursuing their Quest which "upset the
apple cart" of the complacent, embedded establishments of their
era.

When we read the biographies of these great "Champions of Change"
we find that each Trailblazer was constantly ridiculed, discredited,
and scorned by the established mediocrities, and self-proclaimed
"experts" who lorded over the outdated bureaucracies and
institutions of their time. But in the end, these same bureaucracies
and institutions, which at first made every attempt to stone these
Trailblazers to death, ultimately realized that they could not stem
the tide of Change.

Upon realizing that they could no longer reign-in these Lone Wolfs
who were dragging society, kicking and screaming into new and
wondrous times, they finally bowed to the achievements of these
life-changing Individuals. The "red carpet" was then rolled out for
these newly accepted Heroes and Heroines, and these Trailblazers
suddenly found themselves honored with holidays, commendations,
state dinners, and having their portraits placed upon postage stamps
and commemorative coins.

And the same established mediocrities and self proclaimed "experts"
who previously tried to destroy the efforts of these Trailblazers, now
begged for the opportunity of having these Heroes and Heroines
attend their parties, banquets and state dinners so that they could
be seen standing side-by-side, and appear to be a peer, of these
new Trailblazers.

But, the Truth is, the Trailblazer is peerless. And it is the confident,
curious, and imaginative qualities of these Individuals which strike
fear into the heart of all established mediocrities, stagnated
institutions, and moldy organizations. For it is the Trailblazer who is
responsible for ushering in the Creative Destruction which disrupts
the status quo and allows the Path of human evolution to re-continue.

And although accolades, ceremonies, awards, and banquets are
ultimately forced upon the Trailblazer, these are not, nor have they
ever been, the rewards that the Trailblazer was originally seeking.

For the Trailblazer is merely driven by, and rewarded by, the
Simplicity of their childlike imagination, by the lure of their innocent
curiosity, and by the refreshing and pure atmosphere of their own
Thoughts and Dreams. They are the Initiates, the Seekers, and
the Wizards and Wanderers whose curiosity, imagination, and
persistence is responsible for keeping mankind on its on its slow,
methodical and wondrous Path of Evolution.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
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Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010
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