In her contemplation of paths and trails, Patti Miller delves into the philosophical and psychological significance of pathways. She highlights their symbolic representation of the human journey, how they offer reassurance of physical and psychological safety and encapsulate the narrative essence of life’s journey. Paths, for Miller, signify both an irresistible mystery and a comforting connection to past walkers.
  

Key Points: 

1. Paths offer the reassurance of physical safety as well as psychological comfort, indicating the quickest and easiest way to reach a destination. They are symbols of stability and a route well-trodden by others before us.
2. The allure of paths transcends their practical purpose and speaks to a deeper, symbolic interpretation of life’s journey. They represent a clear, tried, and true method to navigate through life, and can elicit feelings of connection to human ancestors and the past.
3. Each path promises a destination or an end, even if it brings you back to where you started. This gives a sense of closure and signifies a new beginning, potentially transforming the traveler.
4. Paths also encapsulate a narrative structure with a beginning, complications, and an ending, mirroring the flow of life. They symbolize a direction and purpose in life.
5. The paths provide a necessary limitation to the vast possibilities of life. They represent the acceptance of a finite journey through an infinite landscape, enabling travelers to closely examine their surroundings.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jul/16/you-are-not-lost-the-infinite-attraction-of-paths-and-meandering-trails