We all have paths off our main road that we have to take but that we may not want to. However, unscheduled ‘detours’ happen. These ‘detours’ may lead us over difficult terrain or it may add miles and time to the trip. But they can be ‘positive’ by shaking us out of our lethargy. Detours can lead in new ways but what do you do when it takes you far from your original path or becomes a path you really do not want to pursue. We know it is important or impossible to avoid traveling on that detour, even when we’re not certain why… and hopefully it is of short duration. These off paths often teach us the hard lessons we need to learn. And occasionally they create surprises we didn’t know existed.
What happens though when the path really, really isn’t wanted? How do we handle those times? Yes, it is a character point and it is an obvious one as it impacts on the immediate. Whatever our attitude, the path not wanted has to be taken. What is our behavior? Grumbling? Kicking the nearest small stone? Or do we look at this as an opportunity for new discoveries? Obviously I would lobby to choose the last option. Typically my approach is to make the best of what is happening… especially when I can’t do anything about it.
Obviously the first thing we need to do when we find ourselves confronted with a path we did not want, did not choose but had to go on is to really take the time to look at and consider this different path. Do we have all the resources we need to continue on this path? Is there an option of turning around and retracing our steps or will we be confronted with the same ‘detour’ at a different time? What can we learn from this path? How can we make the best of a less than perfect path?
Those are only some of the obvious questions but they are important ones as we begin our journey on this new, unwanted path. Personally I’m a silver lining type (which typically drives others crazy) so I begin to look at the possibilities and opportunities that I now have as well as my options for overcoming the other less positive issues. It’s not just ‘making the best of a bad situation’ thinking that should operate. There are lessons to be learned and we might as well be about this as we continue. Ignoring won’t work. And… perhaps now is the best time to learn them rather than at a later, less opportune time.
… on that path now?
