Road construction and repair following a typical West Virginia winter is in full swing. (Our last snow was in May.) Detour signs are popping up all over and it seems that some of my favorite routes will be closed for a while. This has certainly been the case in so many aspects of our lives since “safer at home” and “social distancing” entered—not only into our vocabularies but into our lives. The alterations to our normal paths can be frustrating inconveniences to our ability to get where we are going as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Short, local road trips have become anticipated outings for so many in recent months. However, detours slow us down and send us in directions we might never have chosen to go.
Hold on a second! When I reread that last sentence, detours don’t sound like such a bad thing. Too often we get up at the same time, go through the same routine preparing for our day, take the same route to and from work, shop at the same grocery store on the way home…well, you get the point. Such consistency leaves little opportunity for exploring the new experiences that the road less traveled might offer.
Ask yourself what you can do differently tomorrow and jot down some ideas that might refresh and enliven the day. Just changing the time we wake and go to bed might give us a new perspective. When was the last time you watched a sunrise? Take a different route to work and enjoy the new scenery it provides. Listen to your favorite music or watch the moon rise. Just pick out something to change up the routine and avoid the rut. Consistency is important but must be balanced with change to keep us flexible and adaptable.
We are taught to set a goal and take the most direct route to achieve it. However, some of the most amazing and greatest encounters I have ever had were not on the main road, but on a detour. So, enjoy the discoveries you make on your next detour. There is sure to be one, because we have definitely learned that life is not totally predictable. Maybe a joy you never knew you would find is waiting for you just over the next hill.
I Care, Barb
By Sherrie Wymetalek August 19, 2020
I so miss my chapter meetings. The members are like my extended family. I am a 2 year KOPS and am worried about getting the AMT of official weighing to stay legal. I hope they find a solution to that. And I hope we are all together again without masks and anti socializing. S. Wymetalek
By Barb Maas August 4, 2020
So glad you shared this Wanda. It makes me smile. Thank you.
By Gay Robinson July 17, 2020
I’m so missing the support of my group! We are trying to stay in contact with each other as best we can. I’m struggling with motivation, so the messages you have sent are so timely! Thank you….I will continue to repeat my favorite motto, “I can, and I will.”
By Marge Schulhof August 4, 2020
Gay I too miss the support and interacting with my friends. I have tried to keep in touch by phone and by email but sometimes that just “doesn’t do it”. I keep telling myself to just keep myself on track and that this pandemic will end and we will start to construct a “new normal”…until then, do the best we can and know that there are many TOPS/KOPS who are thinking of us also.
By Darlene L Ehinger July 15, 2020
I’m coping this and sending to all the girls in our club. I’m hoping this encourages them. Thanks Barb for keeping us in mind. It’s hard not meeting. A few girls have been meeting in our cars, but we need to have weigh ins. Trying to think of a way to do this. This artical will give us something to think about.
Thanks Dolly
By Bev Masalonis July 12, 2020
Super Thoughts! Thanks, Barb!
By Jenilu July 10, 2020
Hi Barb,
Thanks for sharing,and most of all,thanks for caring.
Keep moving forward,
Jenilu
By Wanda Jewett July 8, 2020
Barb! I can’t believe you wrote a blog with this title to post on my birthday!! My favorite poem by Robert Frost is The Road Less Traveled and one of my all time favorite books is The Road Less Traveled by F. Scott Peck. On top of that for my birthday I asked my husband to take me on a long country drive on Ohio roads we hadn’t seen. We drove to the southeast corner of ohio and then took “scenic” drives all day until we headed back home. We drove 412 miles and my only contact with any other person was that with a waitress in a wonderful little roadside restaurant in Beaupre. We may not be able to have family celebrations but I did hear from everyone and we had a great day on our roads less traveled. Thank You for all the blogs you do and for your Facebook presence during this stressful time!!
By Barb Maas August 4, 2020
So glad you shared this Wanda. It makes me smile. Thank you.
By tara hathaway July 8, 2020
Barb thank you !!!! While reading the post road less traveled made a lot of sense to me. changes can be hard for me it is the uncertainties of what lies ahead I know I am not alone in this . Thanks
By Janice Strait July 7, 2020
I so enjoy your blogs, thank you for making time for us!
By Eleanor Thompson July 7, 2020
Our most enjoyable trip was just this no plans just go and see what and where we wanted to turn next. Thanks for this post.
By Deborah July 7, 2020
Thought provoking and timely. Thanks!
By Tamson July 7, 2020
Thank you Barb. ♀️
By Sarah Rosser July 7, 2020
Barb, again I thank you for the Wisdom you share with us. Detours in life do contain valuable experiences to us. Once again THANK YOU.. Sarah
By Sarah Rosser July 7, 2020
Barb, again I thank you for the Wisdom you share with us. I Believe… Sarah
By Sue Riding July 6, 2020
Good one Barb. Thanks for the posts!