A Long Strange Trip

Hindsight is NOT 20/20

Have you ever stopped, looked around, and asked yourself, “How did I get here?” Not in the sense that you are lost or forgotten the way to the trail, but suddenly aware of all the twists and turns that brought you to this place in your life. This is a long, strange journey for everyone, full of moments of joy, shredded plans, magical synchronicity, and unexpected occurrences. And somehow, all of them led to this moment and place.

I found myself standing on a snowy winter trail, wondering about each of my choices that opened or closed junctions and pathways. What if I had said yes rather than no, or succumbed to the pressure around me rather than following my own heart, or had been braver, or more frightened, or perhaps made a dozen other choices? Where would I be standing?

My thoughts did not drift to hindsight or paths not taken. Rather, my heart overflowed with wonder at how far I had come on this circuitous and eclectic adventure. In that moment, I realized there never had been an end game or a final goal. There was nothing I was supposed to achieve or prove. This life is simply meant to be lived completely, full of laughter and tears, joys and sorrows, challenges, risks, and moments of divine silence.

This is where I am supposed to be in my life because this is where I am. Yes, I can make other choices and shift the future, change the direction stretching into the misty unknown before me. Yes, this place may be painful at the moment, but I have the power to step into another story. I wonder where one next step will take me.