The Wit and Wisdom of David Johnson: Over The River and Through the Woods

“Over the river and through the woods” — it’s a phrase that makes me sing the song, a song that reminds me of the coming holidays.

But it’s also a phrase full of dramatic symbolism.

Have you ever been on the other side of the river and lost in the woods? A river so wide it seemed impossible to cross, and woods so thick no light could penetrate it?

Are you there at this moment?

Don’t feel bad. It’s easy to get lost.

Divorce, death of a loved one, drugs, alcohol, betrayal, cancer, losing a job, financial crisis, family trouble, trauma. I could go on, but you get my point—there are lots of circumstances that cause us to lose our way. The funny thing about that is you don’t realize you’re getting lost until you are lost.

So, how are you supposed to get un-lost? Simply put, you must travel “over the river and through the woods.”

Easy to say.

Hard to do.

In the song the thing that makes it worth the effort to travel “over the river and through the woods” is the destination: “to grandmother’s house we go.” For you the “grandmother’s house” might literally be rejoining your grandmother, or it might be other loved ones who are waiting and looking for you. Maybe your destination is a life of sobriety and wholeness, or a better job, or a healthy, loving relationship with someone. Or perhaps your focus is on an other-worldly destination—heaven.

Whatever it is, keeping focused on the destination reminds you that whatever it takes to get there will be worth it in the end. Instead of despairing about how hard the journey is, be thankful for the destination that’s awaiting you.

* Taken from The Wit and Wisdom of David Johnson, Volume III: A Harrowing Halloween Tale