One day this past summer my 10 year old daughter “Katie” and I experienced a detour that left a lasting impression. We were in the car headed to her summer camp for the day, running a little behind on time, when I saw the detour sign. Our normal route was blocked and the detour was definitely going to take longer to get to her camp. I sighed, turned the car around, and thought about how much of an inconvenience this would be, not only on this morning, but for an indefinite number of mornings as road work was completed.
As we began driving, the landscape looked different from our normal route and Katie and I began taking in the new scenery. We live outside city limits and it’s pretty typical to see a field, cows, or maybe horses when we drive places-but what we saw that morning was different somehow. There were less houses, rollings hills with grass that were reflecting the sun, wildflowers added a pop of color, and majestic horses welcoming the new day. Katie and I rode in silence for a bit, just enjoying the new view. As I drove I felt the tension I experienced about this inconvenience leave my body. Then, coming from the backseat, I heard my daughter’s sweet voice. She said, “Wow, this is actually really beautiful. I’m glad we came this way. Can we come this way every day?”. In that moment we were both so appreciative of the beauty we were seeing, not even 5 minutes from our house, on a regular commute to camp and work.
This experience was a great reminder for me., and I hope it can be for you too. Maybe each detour in life is just an opportunity to “take the scenic route”-to slow down and to be grateful for the beauty that is around us. It’s an opportunity to explore, to maybe find something new or better along the way in life. Isn’t it fun to think of a detour this way, instead of a block or delay in where we are trying to go? What if you are exactly where you are supposed to be? What if the detour was keeping you out of harm’s way, or redirecting you to something better? Maybe you are trying to reach goals and you feel like detours keep popping up. It can feel like you will never get to where you are going, and in the timeframe that you want it to happen, but you can find meaning and value in the detour. Why is it there? What is it trying to direct you to? Sometimes we need signs on our path, with forced detours, to get us to open our eyes or try something new. What if you can still get to your goal, or where you are heading in life, but it can be even better than you imagined it?! Next time you are faced with a detour, try telling yourself you are exactly where you need to be in the moment, and be open to new opportunities, experiences, and direction.
As for me and Katie, we did enjoy having to take that “forced” detour for several weeks. Every morning we enjoyed the rolling hills and seeing where the horses were starting their day. We don’t always take that route now, but on the days we choose to slow down a little more or I need a reminder of the beauty around us we drive that winding road, and I smile. Such a simple drive makes me so, so grateful for the direction of my life…and all of the detours along the way.
With gratitude and love,
Sunisha
