Detours
When traveling sometimes you take detours from your plans. The same happens in real life. Detours of life come when you least expect. Most times the detours shock us into disbelief. Recently, I experienced a significant detour and some smaller ones. It’s as if I didn’t know what hit me. The detours hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn’t know how to respond or cope. Understanding why such a change in my life occurred was beyond my comprehension. However, I quickly learned when your life detours embrace the possibilities.
The unexpected detour began in the spring of 2016. I worked as an elementary school principal. For 25 years, my job as an educator was fulfilling, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. However, during my time as an administrator, I worked hard to make the best decisions for the students and families.
Trouble Comes Quickly
During the spring of 2016, my troubles began. At the time, I thought the problem was small and solvable. Little did I know it was the beginning of the end. By that summer I was out of a job, and I experienced a wave of emotions I’d never felt before. The range of emotions includes anger, depression, sadness, grief, and emotional fatigue. My faith and confidence were tested.
One day I realized that I couldn’t go on and had to snap out it. Uncertainty and unpredictability are absolute in life. Yours may revolve around a job, relationship, health or other personal reasons. The question becomes how can you use the detour to change the course of your life? Check out these ideas about life’s detours.
Destination and Destiny
A detour can be intentional or unexpectant. People plan an intentional detour as a way of reflecting and refreshing. When an unexpectant detour occurs, it is a major shock to your system. However, this shock to your system may be a path to a new destination. It may also be a path to your real destiny. For sure, the last two statements are the last thing you think, when your life is upside down. At some point, clarity will reveal your real purpose.
Embrace Change
What is a detour but a change of direction? Not many people like or want change; however, it is good. Out with the old and in with the new. Embrace the differences in your life that the detour brings. Sometimes a specific a person, place or thing in your life doesn’t fit your purpose or destiny. Until a diversion occurs, you know and suffer through what is not good for you. A departure of the norm snaps you out of it. The detour gives you a chance to make positive changes or healthier choices.
Teachable Moments
When a dramatic change occurs in your life, take it as a teachable moment. How do you define a teachable moment? According to Oxford Dictionaries, it is an event or experience which presents an excellent opportunity for learning something about a particular aspect of life. It’s a guarantee that a detour will bring you some teachable moments. However, it’s what you glean from those moments that are important.
Opportunity
The time during a life detour is an opportunity to accept what you can and cannot control. Also, it is a time to open yourself up to new possibilities. Before a detour happens, you have moments of thinking, “what if.” What if you start a business? What if you move to a different city? Suppose you change careers or learn a new skill? Now is the chance to seize the day. Carpe diem for a unique opportunity and change your life.
Useful
Make yourself useful during your life detour. The world needs valuable members of society. Take the opportunity to volunteer your services for a good cause. When you volunteer your time, it opens up new possibilities and teachable moments. Making yourself useful can lead to new networks, friendships, collaborations, and more.
Regroup
Lastly, regroup and move on. You can drag on the range of emotions for a long time, but life goes on. Eventually, you must move on with your life. Accept that your life before the detour is over. Furthermore, reflect, refresh, and regroup for your next phase. Wave goodbye to the past and drive down a new road.
It is difficult to believe that an unexpectant detour can lead to positive change. At first, life is in a state of chaos and fear takes over. In a flux, you mind is weighed down by negativity. But when the smoke clears, you realize the full potential of the situation. Know that a detour is a temporary blockage to your main route.
Check out our YouTube video! When Life Detours Embrace It!
This was an inspiring read. Thanks for sharing and I wish you the very best even with all the challenges life has to offer. It only makes us stronger!
http://www.zinnyfactor.com
Thank you for your good wishes and support. Yes, detours make us stronger and wiser.