How often are you present to your journey- this gift that is life? A few nights ago, I was on my way home from a dance class and I turned the GPS on in my phone without thinking. The path I was taking home was not unfamiliar to me yet, the need to have a defined path set for me and directions spoken out loud was important.
The goal is set, now what ?
Halfway through my ride, I thought “why do I need the GPS? I know where I’m trying to going. I’m turning this off.” GPS is great because it helps us get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time and helps us navigate around traffic and detours. Perhaps those detours, scenic routes and traffic are missed moments of joy.
To be transparent, I used to hate traffic and did everything in my power to maneuver around it. Whether that was taking a different train line to get to work faster or taking local roads or another parkway to avoid sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. But what’s the harm is getting “lost” and taking a few extra moments on your journey?
Shifting perspective
As of late, I’m taking notes from traffic and detours; allowing them to be my teachers – reminding me to slow down and appreciate the present. Consider this for a moment, how often do you set a goal, do the work, and then accomplish said goal? How does it feel when you accomplish the goal? For me, sometimes I am elated, other times I’m dissatisfied or I’ll feel something else in the range of emotions.
I have this goal checked off on my list (yes, I like lists), now what? What’s next? Do I have another goal in mind? This thought pattern – without a pause to appreciate the accomplishment or the journey – is one that I am unlearning.
The process
A crucial part of achieving goals is the work it takes to get to your result. For me, it’s the grunt work, the “put your right foot in front of your left”, the journey, the crippling doubt, the transformation, the sweat, the joy, the tears. Learning to enjoy and be present during each stage of the journey has made accomplishing goals an even more enjoyable experience.
The featured image for this post is a road in O’ahu Hawai’i that I experienced last year. We were on our way to one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever experienced (in this case, the goal). If I’d just been paying attention to point B, I would have missed out on the awe inspiring mountains and nature that I was surrounded by during the journey.
An invitation
Being goal oriented is dope, at times. May you see the beauty and trust yourself throughout the journey. There are blessings, teachers and gifts hidden in life’s traffic, detours, and scenic routes. I invite you to turn off the GPS every once in a while.
