How do you feel about detours?  The way you answer this question reveals much about your nature.  Whether during driving or on the road of life, detours serve a purpose, I’ve discovered.

Yesterday, as I was driving to get my weekly vitamin injection, I noticed the other side of the highway had a backup.  I turned on the radio and right in that moment they talked about how a truck hauling a mobile home hit an overpass bridge.  Traffic was backed up for miles.  I realized I’d need to take another way home.  This didn’t concern me at all because I always have maps with me in my car. 

Then, as I was visualizing a different way to go home, I heard about two more car accidents that would affect this different way I was considering.  So, I scrapped my plans.  Traffic can change in a heartbeat, so I figured I’d listen to the reports after my appointment.  My appointment is about a 35 minute drive and it doesn’t take long.  After my injection, I listened to the traffic report.  The roads were in the same condition.  I grabbed my handy map and planned a new way home.

I picked a way I’ve never gone.  I figured why not have fun and see a part of my area I’ve never seen.  It also is more scenic.  As I drove this way, I enjoyed the bends in the road for the backroads part.  Then, I drove on the main road.  I drove past a metaphysical store that has always interested me.  “That is cool,” I thought, “Now, I know where it is for the future.”

As I drove further, I saw a sign that said the road I was on would be closed further ahead for a section.  I have an excellent inner compass (meaning I always pretty much know which direction I’m heading in) so I wasn’t worried, even if there were no detour signs.  However, there were those kind orange and black detour signs that have large arrows, pointing you in the correct direction.  On a side note, we have this saying in Michigan that there are two seasons in Michigan–winter and construction season.  And, well, the one is a result of the other!

I had to laugh though.  I have this habit of looking into the signficance of events, even if they are mundane.  Yes, I’m one of those spiritual people who asks, “What is the message in this?”  It’s highly annoying for some of those around me, but hey, someone has to notice this stuff!  The reason I laughed was about the detour within the detour.

I thought about the many times I’ve been guided to take a certain path that initially will feel like a detour.  Then, I’ve even noticed a detour or even detours within that detour.  Changes in direction are normal, I’ve come to realize in my early life.  Change is all there is, so it’s all good.  Instead of getting mad about the detours yesterday, I decided to make it fun.  I turned on my fave music.  I also decided to stop in my favorite downtown on the way home to get a Starbucks since it was on the way home.  It was a warmer day, so it was nice to walk and soak up the sun.

It did take me much longer to drive home because of all the detouring.  However, it was nice to take my time.  I don’t drive much any more because I mostly work at home, so it is initially a bit of an adjustment for me energetically to get out and drive in the hectic energy.  I’m fine once I shield myself and set my boundaries energetically.  I notice though I can get caught up in the hurry-up energy on fast expressways.  It was nice to take the backroads home yesterday for a change of pace.

I also cracked up about how there are often so many signs on the road of life about which way not to go.  I had about 3-4 about not going home the way I went yesterday.  Instead of resisting or fighting this guidance, I decided to go a different way.  Yes, I could have driven home the same way.  However, I have an older car that overheats when it idles too long.  At times, it’s important to honor where we are at in life.  My car is a metaphor for this honoring.

Then, I realized how even when we go the way we’re guided to go, it can sometimes become necessary to change direction–again!  I’ve noticed for myself though that the way is pretty clearly marked.  Think of how my detour within the detour yesterday had those polite signs with the arrows showing me which way to go.  The way was the most direct way.  I could have ignored the signs and had the same outcome of getting home, but it would have taken even longer. 

I also thought about how when I followed the detour within the detour, I drove on some new roads I’ve never driven.  It was fun.  I wasn’t worried about getting lost at all.  I trusted that the signs would lead me to my destination.  I decided to enjoy the journey versus stressing out about the details.  Hmm, this sounds like a good way to live the journey of life.

Ironically, I had this intuitive hunch about where the detour would take me.  I ended up getting to where I thought it would go.  This made me smile.  I drove through this gorgeous area of trees, beautiful homes, and rolling hills, leading to one of my favorite downtowns.  It is the scenic way into town.  What a blessing!  I followed the detour and it led me to the most beautiful place.

It probably seems like I’m too analytical in my life.  No, I’m just a thinker.  I also like to notice the lessons that life presents me.  It is an enjoyable process to me.  Usually, I’ve noticed that life lessons I need to learn come in very obvious ways. 

My intention after years of more painful spiritual growth is to learn via fun ways that are gentle.  Some might argue that the biggest growth lessons come from pain, but where did this rule come from really?  To me, that rule seems to come from ego.  It’s the ego that wants to notice pain.  The higher self wants love.

I’m going to follow the signs that say, “Love This Way—->”  Really, there is only that one choice for me

Enjoy the ride,

Lisa