Around the Bend
As a child, I was definitive about what I wanted to accomplish and by when. The thought never entered my mind of how or what it would cost. I just knew I would, and I was fearless.
A few weeks ago, I celebrated another birthday with a trip to see the sunrise.
That morning I set out to a place I had never been and intentionally changed the route option to avoid tolls to enjoy the scenery.
All is going well, and I am almost at my destination, and suddenly the GPS stops working. What?!
The next turn brought me to the ramp of a toll bridge. In a matter of seconds, my mind is racing with thoughts, “This cannot be happening!” “What is wrong with this GPS?” “There is no place to turn around, what am I going to do?”
Vehicles are entering from the main road, some faster than others, and I have no choice but to go over the bridge. “I don't want to go over the bridge!” “I know My destination is not on the other side!”
I made it, but I have no idea where I am.
I continue to drive in the hopes of catching the sunrise. Several large cargo ships are to my left, and a few minutes later, a Target and Starbucks, ah civilization.
Eventually, the drive took me to a roundabout. Hmm, the second exit looks like a winner. A quaint neighborhood with teenagers lining the sidewalks waiting for their school bus. The houses became fewer, and to my surprise, a view of the water and the sunrise. To my right is a circular driveway with an MTA bus parked in the perfect spot. Sigh!
I quickly noticed a small park with a basketball court across the street, with another gate behind it. Being adventurous, I drove through to the edge of a pier and beach with the most incredible view of the water and sunrise cresting the edge of a hill.
I parked parallel to the water and rolled down the window to hear the morning sounds. So peaceful. As I sat, taking in the beauty of the day, I began to journal.
Moments later, a woman parked next to me partially obstructing my view. I paused and asked myself, Of all the available space in front and behind me, you choose to park right here? I was irritated for a moment but quickly regained my peace.
Here is my revelation.
I knew early on how I wanted My life to go. That morning was no different. I wanted to see the sunrise in a new place without paying a toll. Simple right?
I chose a 99.9% reliable GPS app to assist me in getting to My destination. When it stopped working, I had no choice but to believe that I would still reach My end goal somehow and at some point.
I am now at the base of the bridge and cannot turn around. The truth is, I did not want to pay the price to go over the bridge because that was not in My plan. Guess what? There is a cost to getting to where you want to be.
I watched drivers going past me at different speeds, and in that instant, it registered that if I focused on everyone else, I would never stay in my lane and cross over to the other side.
Though I was lost, I never gave up on reaching My goal.
Where I ended up was more spectacular than I could have ever imagined.
The path is not always predictable. There will be twists, turns, rocks, hills, valleys, bends, bridges, and distractions. My plan was inflexible, and I was forced to decide. While it is okay to have a plan, what will you do when your plan doesn’t work as you thought? Will you turn around and go back to the familiar? Freeze and do nothing? Or move forward into the unknown?