“J” is for…

The Journey

Remember when you were a kid and road trips seemed to last forever?  I used to sound like a broken record as I asked my parents “How much longer ’till we’re therrrre?” Complete with all the drama I could muster.

And as the years passed, I eagerly awaited each milestone.

“I can’t wait ’till I’m in 6th grade so I can get my ears pierced.”

“I can’t wait until I’m 18 and finally an adult. Then no one will tell me what to do.”

“I can’t wait until I’m 21 and can legally drink. I’ll never have to worry again about being busted!”

“I can’t wait to meet Mr. Right.  Life will be so good when I’m in love/when someone loves me.”

“I can’t wait to have a baby and be a mother…until my baby says his first words…takes his first steps…”

My focus on the destination obscured my view of the journey.  It robbed me of the potential delight in each step of each day as I hurried through to more quickly reach my destination.

While I’m a firm believer in goals, I’ve also come to appreciate the steps that get me there.

In a class I took at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference, presenter Sandi Ault had us figure out why we write and to truly honor that why. We were to write down our top goal and work backwards to identify each step that leads up to the one following, leading to the beginning point of where we were at that moment. Missing just one of those steps would alter the path and, ultimately, the outcome, of my goal.

As I’m traveling to a destination, whatever form that travel takes or looks like, I want to enjoy each step of the journey, recognizing the importance that each holds.  It’s the journey that holds the beauty, the opportunities at growth and learning.  And it’s the journey that creates the memories.

Today I am going to create some amazing memories. 🙂

Peace.