When The Right Direction Starts To Look All Wrong
Image courtesy of GmAn-Photography
I was leaving a clients home the other day. She lives outside of town, along the countryside. As I pulled out of the driveway and headed back toward town, I turned on the radio to drown out my thoughts for a moment. The reception was clear and crisp as the voices chattered away.
As I made my way down the windy road, the station began to stutter. To make sense of the static I started to monitor the moments of receptive mischief. I realized that not every turn was in the direction of our town. As my course wound away, the radio began to skip. Then it found its way back to broadcasting excellence when the distance from home began to lesson once again.
Now this is by no means a revelation of information. Obviously a radio tower’s reach becomes hindered with distance. But it did get me thinking…
The road I was on had a definite destination. But that didn’t mean that it was always pointed in that direction. Depending on the geography, as well as any obstacle that may impede the flow of traffic, this road had to make its trek with a sometimes unnatural tendency.
It’s the path that’s important.
Growing up in a results oriented society has a way of tainting your intuition. These days we are taught to look ahead as we check and recheck for positive progress. But it’s in these OCD, ‘eyes to the front’ moments, when we lose track of something much more important.
I would argue that a plus doesn’t always end in a higher number and that one step back is often part of forward progress. Therefore, we can’t judge our journey by the scenery that’s in plain view. We must instead keep our eyes on the steps we make and the path we proceed to follow. Our choices will chart our destination as we stay true to our values and clear with our conscience.
13 Responses to “When The Right Direction Starts To Look All Wrong”
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Hi Eric – I was reading your post and remembering times in the past when I did take one step backwards to get two steps forwards. It’s a great reminder that we don’t always have to continue to proceed forward when by stepping back, we can easily redirect our course.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..NBOTW – Bringing Me To Tears
Hello again Eric.
Us humans can be impatient. We want to always be moving forward, and yet it is not a realistic expectation. Sometimes the best way to achieve a goal is not the direct route. I agree that sometimes we need to be prepared to take a step back in order to be able to continue on with our journey.
Also loved your last post about your mother, very touching and lovely to read that things have worked out well.
Leanne Magraith | Forever Change´s last blog post..A Story About A Major Business Restructure – Part 5
I hope I haven’t missed the point, but when I read this the “thing” that popped into my head was, all those times walking from the bedroom with a final destination to be out the front door. Knowing that along the way, I need to stop by the kitchen to grab something before heading out. Keys, coffee, doesn’t matter, just something.
Then, along the path, I get lost in a thought and soon realize that I had strayed off that path. You know, one of those “Now, what was I doing?” moments. What do I do?
I reflect. I go back to the beginning and remember what my destination was intended to be, review the chart, and see where I planned to go, and where I was at that moment. Then I take a step back (turn around), headed back to where I started, then suddenly I say “Oh….yeah….that’s what I was doing,” turn back around and proceed to the kitchen.
I think life is like that. I sometimes can just feel it. “I’m on the path, but where was I going again? Something doesn’t seem right.” Then I reflect, sometimes turn around, and then go “Oh..yeah..now I remember.” Then I take the next step forward, sometimes two, but eventually the process will repeat. It’s a great thing.
Great Article as always.
-Scott
Scott´s last blog post..Is It Too Late
I see life as an ascension along a winding staircase, rather than up the rungs of a ladder. Our course is not constant upward momentum, but rather a steady beat forward, sometimes pausing to rest. Like Scott said, great post as always, Eric.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..At Least I Don’t Have Zits
This line made me smile:
“I started to monitor the moments of receptive mischief”
Ross´s last blog post..Why I’ve always hated goals
Agreed. Sometimes you want to step back and evaluate things before moving forward. Nothing wrong with that. It is wisdom.
Great post! I work in a sales role and everything is dominated by the numbers, the bottom line. Often though, I take a step back and I ask is this right for the customer. I find the need to take myself off auto-pilot, turn off the blinders and do what’s right. In the end this allows me to reset my focus.
The days when I accomplish this are usually the good days.
well great thoughts of yours .. and I think you are right, the whole life is like a street and it goes never straight forward..
Michael Michalowski´s last blog post..Die Essenz im Leben
Nice sentiment, and perhaps a corollary – while we may not always be headed straight in one direction, we’ll definitely notice if all we have is static and no signal for a long time =)
@Barbara: Reminders are always good. They help us regain our past wisdom.
“…we don’t always have to continue to proceed forward when by stepping back, we can easily redirect our course.”
Well said.
@Leanne: “Us humans can be impatient.”
One of our less desirable traits for sure.
“Also loved your last post about your mother, very touching and lovely to read that things have worked out well.”
Thanks and I’m glad you enjoyed it.
@Scott: You didn’t miss the point at all, Scott. Actually, you just added a great analogy that drives it home even more.
@Sean: I love your ‘winding staircase’ analogy! I can think of no better picture to describe the ‘hills and valleys’ of life.
@Ross: Thanks, Ross. Words CAN be fun, can’t they!
@Atiff: It’s all about our perspective. Thanks for sharing!
@Neil: Sales is a perfect example. I’ve had many sales positions so I can really relate to your analogy.
@Michael: I’m glad you connected with the post and I appreciate your input.
@Sid: “while we may not always be headed straight in one direction, we’ll definitely notice if all we have is static and no signal for a long time =)”
I love this, Sid! A point inside a point. Our ‘radar’ can eventually tell when the right path is no where to be found.
I hate it when I have to take steps backwards. It’s so so soooo very annoying. However, you’re right. Sometimes we have to take a step back in order to continue on moving forward.
Taking a step back maybe moving us forward. So much truth to this phrase. Some times life can be really contradict, when we think that we are moving forward, we are not. When we think we are taking a step back, actually we are moving forward. The important thing is really to align our values and action and stay true to it.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Vincent´s last blog post..Do You Give Up Easily?
@October Five: I’m the same way. I’m all about efficiency and stepping backward is an event I try to avoid. But it certainly is an essential part of progress that’s necessary none the less. Thanks for sharing!
@Vincent: “The important thing is really to align our values and action and stay true to it.”
Well said!