Willow, the only certainties we have are in mathematics. We can make deductive arguments, but those may be based on false premises. For instance, Socrates is a man. All men are mortal. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Well, Socrates might not be a man, so there lies the faulty premise. Logic only gets us so close to truth and then fails us so hard. Truths won are always tentative. Even with myself, my most intimate believes are stalked by doubt at every corner! It's part of a rational creature to question. It's part of the examined life we ought to take part in.

Regarding the path you see in the forest, I think it's time to share Plato's Allegory of the Cave and the way out that he doesn't make apparent at first blush. So hold on and read all the way through:

Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Allegory of the Cave - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Imagine yourself in a dark cave. You have lived in this dark, dungy cave your entire life. Your hands are chained. In front of you are flickering lights that move like shadows on the walls. Having been down here so long, you understand that the flotsam and jetsam of shadows on the wall in front of you is actual reality. However, there is a fire behind you and people are showing you shadows that they want you to see. They are deceiving by representing reality in this way.

Symbolism: The chains represents how our bodies are chained to our senses, and how dependent we are on our sense perception. We believe what we see and hear so easily. Furthermore, the senses can often deceive us (as schizophrenia shows). The shadows on the wall is not reality. The darkness symbolizes ignorance.

One day, one of men gets loose from his chains... Amazed, unsure but moved, he begins to turn around and sees a faint light at the end of a tunnel. To get to it, he climbs a ladder and goes out into the sunlit world for the first time. His eyes are blinded by the light. He can't see anything initially. Time continues and then his eyes adjusts and he is able to see reality as it is.

Symbolism: The sun is pure knowledge like that of mathematics. Think Pythagoras, or for those who don't know him, think of a mind like his, Isaac Newton who sees reality as based on harmonious mathematical relationships. Furthermore, why does it take his eyes time to adjust? Well, it takes time to learn how things work abstractly. Remember, he isn't in the realm of sense perception anymore. The sun represents a different sort of understanding that is rational, logical and abstract. Sense perception is immediate. Whereas, mathematics takes time (for your eyes to adjust).

This is the path to enlightenment for Plato, but the question remains, Willow this part speaks to you directly, what motivated him? The path out of the cave and up the ladder, leading outside to enlightenment is a serious path to follow. How does one follow or know whether this is the correct path?

Enter Plato's dialogue The Symposium Symposium (Plato) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There was an all night drinking party amongst a group of men, Socrates included. They spoke of love and beauty on this night, each man giving their own interpretation. Socrates chose to tell a story about a mysterious woman from Mantinea who gave him knowledge of beauty, because who better to explain beauty than by a beautiful, wise woman?
Arrest their heart and you open their mind, Willow. The way out of the cave is to ascend this ladder of beauty that Diotima points us towards. Beauty moves and summons us. It drives us up paths, ladders, and into the sunlight. It can elevate, uplift and save us.

What drove Dante through hell but his love for Beatrix. What saved Faust but his love Gretchen. What saved Theseus but the aiding love of Ariadne. What led Odysseus down the path but his beautiful, faithful wife Penelope.

Doubt plagues my most cherished beliefs. Still, what is beautiful is true, and to be those are to be good. That was the Greek ideal and I believe it's timeless. There is doubt in my beliefs, that is certain. Doubt is part of being a rational being. But, I hope that each of us rise to struggle and strive to live a beautiful life with beautiful thoughts. I for one believe beauty can save us. For me, the idea of a God is beautiful. I'm optimistic that there is one but again, doubt plagues my most cherished beliefs.