I like to plan things out and feel in control of any situation. I want to know what is going to happen, when, and to have at least a reasonable idea of the outcome. I love systems and processes – how to get from point A to point B the most efficiently, whether it is a project for work or while driving to a destination. I sometimes struggle with being able to relax, or enjoying the inevitable detours that are a part of life. I am oftentimes so focused on trying to control the outcome that I don’t see the beauty of the journey.
When my late husband, Sam and I took family trips with our three daughters, we liked to drive to our destination whenever possible. For these trips, I planned not only where we were going but how long it would take to get there, what stops we are going to make along the way, and other necessary (to my mind) criteria. This was especially true on a couple of cross-country camping trips we took to some of the Midwest National Parks when our girls were teenagers. For each trip, I planned out how long it would take to drive to and between parks, how long we would be at each one, and what was the optimal time to leave in order to get to the next one to take advantage of the most time at the park. And although that sounds rigid and doesn’t leave a lot of room for spontaneity, this planning allowed our family to see a good portion of this beautiful country and many of the amazing National Parks. To balance out the rigidity in our driving schedule, I didn’t plan our time within the parks, preferring to let the girls determine what they wanted to do at each one. Each park was a different experience, and we enjoyed taking in as much as possible.
But as soon as we got back in the car, out came my map, watch and schedule. I would tell Sam where we were off to next, which roads to take and how long it would be to get where we were going. But Sam was a lot more spontaneous than I was, and I was never sure when he was going to take us on one of his infamous detours that completely messed up my carefully planned schedule. One instance sticks out in my mind, as a reminder that sometimes it is OK to change direction or your path for something unknown, just for the pure enjoyment of the experience. We were in Yellowstone and decided to take the scenic Beartooth highway over the Beartooth mountain range from Wyoming into Montana. It was going to be a full day’s trip and I was ready – I knew exactly where we were going, how long it was going to take to get there and back again and how much time we had to spare for shopping in Red Lodge, Montana. But as was typical, Sam had other plans. Part of the way up Beartooth, he saw a sign for a fire tower and the dirt road that led to it, and . . . he was off. And I was freaking out. Not so much because it messed with my plans – truth be told, I was used to it and stopped fussing about it long ago. What I was afraid of was the fact that we were taking a minivan up a steep mountain on a narrow, windy, switchback road full of potholes. I thought for sure that even if by some miracle we made it to the top, we would surely never make it down. But away we went anyway. The road was just as treacherous as I had anticipated, and the higher we went, the more anxious I became. All I could see was the fear of the unknown.
When we got to the top, all of my fears melted away. It was absolutely breathtaking. As we climbed to the top of the tower, a ranger that talked to us about the history of the area; and the view from the top took your breath away. It was a once in a lifetime experience that the girls and I will never forget, and best exemplified Sam’s spontaneity in life and his ability to embrace each event with enthusiasm. It is a constant reminder to me that although having a plan is good, it is just as important to allow for flexibility. And even more importantly, being able to enjoy the journey, including its inevitable detours. As Robert Frost writes in his famous poem, “I took the (road) less traveled by, And that has made all the difference”. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled and see where it takes you – and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Today’s author: Karen Smith Racicot, CPC is a certified professional coach and motivational speaker assisting women to help them create success through focus and business profits through efficiencies. She specializes in helping women create organization and structure in their business and/or their personal lives, which allows them the opportunity to create and focus on the life they want to live. She can be reached at www.E3Coaching-md.com or by phone at 240-415-3706