| I am starting a new chapter in my life, which involves figuring out many things I used to not even think about. I was naive to think that my journey was unique. The more I discussed it with friends, the sooner I realized that this path has many other solo travelers on it. As we all travel along this winding road, a frequently referenced quote comes to mind, and it doesn’t sit right with me. |
“It’s not about the destination; it’s the journey that matters.”
—Anonymous
I’ve recently pondered this idea, and I can’t say that I agree. Let’s dive in a little further and think about this critically. If you know exactly where you will end up, you take the time to map out the best path for yourself. Whether it’s the one with the most interesting sights along the way, the least amount of construction, or the quickest route, either way, you can set your cruise control and enjoy the ride knowing that you will get there eventually.
But what if you don’t know exactly where you are going?
How can you possibly plan accordingly? The truth is, you can’t! I feel like many of us are at this point in life—especially those who are in the midst of changing careers, cities, or maybe even our marital status. The future isn’t mapped out in a pretty little picture; we are essentially drawing as we go.
Every day is a new adventure, but part of me wishes I had a crystal ball and could see the future. It would make life a lot easier, and I wouldn’t be spending time on things that aren’t coming to fruition. If I knew where my life was leading me over the next 20 years, I’d have a clearer picture, but it’s a little uncertain right now.
Most of us aren’t fortune tellers, and we don’t know what is in the cards for ourselves. If we want to make something happen in our lives, we have to do more than just hope for the best. I try to make intelligent decisions and learn from the experiences that come with them. You can’t do the same thing and expect different results.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson not to use the word “should” as a metric for sound decision making. You must be ready to pivot if the universe takes you somewhere we never intended to be. As you gain momentum on this journey, know there will be roadblocks up ahead, and try not to let yesterday’s mistakes interrupt the success of today. If you hit a rough patch, know this is not your life forever; it is only what you are going through right now.
Life has its way of working things out. Turning your struggle bus pass into a first-class ticket may take some effort, but you can do it, and remember there are always travelers on this journey to help you along the way.
Now, Go Be Great!
One comment
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