Each morning, the dogs and I vary our morning walk, but there are certain paths that we come back to again and again. This trail through the hedgerows is one of those paths. Today, after two weeks of winter storms, the path was blocked.
There is always another route, of course, so we bushwhacked to an access road, and in another quarter mile cut back to the trail. And? Blocked again! We had to head back up the trail this time in reverse to access another way around. All was going well, until we encountered our third obstacle: fallen trees. No worries. I shimmied over one and led three-legged Gwenna under it. Darcy dog was able to jump them both at one go. Again, the path was open before us.
As we backtracked and changed routes I thought about the navigation system on my car. When it is giving guidance I choose to ignore and miss a selected exit or turn, it seems to pause before it broadcasts the words "Route recalculation!" I alway read a little impatience into its tone when I make my own choice and ignore its directions. I feel like this morning's walk was a series of route recalculations, and I have to say I enjoyed them. The wandering path may not always be quickest, but it is definitely more interesting than the distance covered with a straight line.
Darcy and Gwenna, when they are off leash, probably cover twice the distance I do during a walk, for they wander off the path to sniff, to chase and to let their eyes and noses lead them. Sometimes I get impatient with this and encourage them to hurry up. Today, I am thinking, that this meandering path is the wiser choice. I am also recognizing that just because an obstacle exists, there are still ways forward, sometimes many ways. You can force your way through (get out the chainsaw and clear the path), or you can let yourself wander, while keeping your star in sight.
Isn't it wonderful that the road twists and that obstacles bar our way? It forces us into the present moment, and breaks through our illusion of control of our life's direction. It is good to be lost now and then and it is also good to know that we can find our way when the road in blocked. I am not done with my wandering . . .
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