Trust Yourself and Follow Your Path

                                                                       

Did you ever have a moment when you needed to make a decision on your own? The moment when there is no time to phone a friend, take a day or two to contemplate, or research just a few more things. The only person to rely on is you. You must trust yourself.

Life is filled with obstacles, unplanned destinations, and painful moments that sometimes have no explanation for their existence. What makes a person continue to strive forward? How do we convince our self that better things are coming our way? How do we know which path is the right path?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, 'Self trust is the first secret of success'. Maybe, when we begin to trust our own judgement, we cannot make the wrong decision. Maybe, every decision is the right one for our unique path.

What decision was the starting point for your unique path?

Unanswered Prayers

Whenever the song 'Unanswered Prayers' by Garth Brooks comes on the radio, I find myself reflecting on my own unanswered prayers...and thanking God.  I can't imagine being any happier than with the life I have now.

As a middle-age adult, I can now take pleasure in smiling at those in their twenties who share their life plan. I smile not only at their stupidity, but also because I was once that stupid. I recall 'mapping out' my career goals; which included twenty years in the service, thirty years in teaching and retiring by the age of fifty-five with two retirements. Traveling the United States in an R.V. and writing the great novel would fulfill my golden years. Friends and family to share the adventure!

                                                                             

Thank God for unanswered prayers. An injury in the military resulted in an honorable discharge. Many of my 'buddies' never returned from their tours, or returned unable to live a 'normal life' again. The 'extra-time' it took me to find a teaching job, led to friendships & mentors lasting twenty years... and still counting.  Surviving life's heartaches and encounters with bullies in the workplace provided the strength to move forward and take a chance on 'unplanned destinations'.

                                                                        

Thank God for 'unplanned destinations'.  All those detours I cursed in my 'know it all' stage, has led me to the here & now. Here I am accepting the things I cannot change, knowing something better will come from it. The now finds me not waiting for my 'golden years' to travel, write and follow my passions.

 My 'life plan' did not come to fruition, but my life did.

Get your kicks on...

....if you finished the sentence with Route 66, congratulations. If you completed the sentence in song, you are my new best friend!  Then again, don't all those who share a love for travel have a common bond?  The wanting to know what is over the bend, what a field of wheat really smells like, and does the Grand Canyon really need to be seen to understand its captivation by so many?

What if every American had to travel to every state before receiving their citizenship? Yes, just being born here wouldn't be enough. Traveling across state borders on Route 66 is like traveling through different era's of our history. The abandoned gas stations that still have a coffee mug and sales receipts dated 1972 on the manager's desk. The hotels that once bragged about air conditioners in every room, or the signs that read- Good Eats Here.

                                                                     

Every person born in the city would be able to drive down a road where there actually is nothing but nature, as far as the eye can see. You really can see the stars at night.  History would be taught by walking in the ruts left by wagon wheels on the trails west. The life story of Native Americans would be told by their great-great-grandchildren, who continue their ancestor's customs. An education received while learning compassion, grace and humility.

                                                               

Route 66...I have traveled it a few times. Every time, I have seen something new and something that has taken my breath away. The scenery, the history, the people....you just can't forget it.