It's Your Turn--Take Your Own Detour

Sometimes life feels on autopilot. For life’s detours, where do you turn?

At spring’s start I was driving in North Philly-- many of the streets were blocked off for tree and pothole repair. I circumnavigated on streets I’ve never explored—especially since so many one-way paths create a somewhat confusing labyrinth. In a pretty banged-up section I was pleasantly surprised seeing gorgeous gabled homes, pretty brick rowhouses, and some glorious trees. And as I was turning one corner I noticed the quaintest coffee shop—that I never saw on my typical, route-by-rote commute. It stuck out to me—especially since run-down storefronts and homes bookended it.

We obviously never know what will appear when we turn a different corner—those sneaking surprises that delight our senses and broaden our perspective, perhaps meeting an inspiring person along the way. Yet we often relax into our known, predictable, and practical creature comforts. They’re easy. And how readily I fall into secure patterns. I get it. But seeing that unexpected coffee shop made me think that even if life doesn’t force us on a new path maybe we should make ourselves take new routes. Who knows all that we could be missing? Or that there could be other ways to turn?

I went to a moving and peaceful burial at a scenic cemetery last Friday. The woman who led the service concluded with a soulful meditation calling upon an archangel to channel our energies. What struck me at the time was that even though I’m a pretty open, faith-filled person…I never thought to pray to an archangel for guidance or support. This is not some religious soapbox post…my point is that the service opened my eyes and broadened my outlook. Even though I follow a religion I was surprised by yet another source of comfort to turn to.

That lesson can apply to anyone. Because, let’s face it—we all snuggle into our own grooves.

The other day my daughter made me flip through the car radio stations because she doesn’t like “old school” songs. She prefers the up-to-the-last-five-minute releases. But she made me stop at Nicki French’s 1994 dance version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” I started singing the catchy tune with lyrics I know too well. “Turn around…every now and then I fall apart…”

“Stop singing, Mom. I want to hear it,” she flat-out told me.

Wow, like Life cereal’s iconic 80’s commercials…she surprisingly liked it. Perhaps the lass will learn to love songs from other decades, even finding solace and inspiration from yesteryear’s melodies. I’ve often turned to music for meaning, and maybe she will, too—even those “old” songs.

Going a different way can be a refreshing start or spark something inside you. Create your own detours and take a unique turn—even towards a new source for needed guidance, support, and love. Be aware of those hidden muses to open your heart and mind. Like the song says, “There's no one in the universe as magical and wondrous as you.” Maybe you just need to take a turn.