Accidental Detour.

A few days ago, as I embarked on my journey home for Christmas, I ended up taking an accidental detour into the heart of DC.

Back story: I do not drive in DC. Actually, truth be told, I do not drive in any city. I am not comfortable being behind the wheel when I am not familiar with my surroundings and when I am forced to share the road with rude, impatient, cranky drivers.

But sure enough, I took a wrong turn (or didn’t take a right turn, rather) and found myself driving into DC as opposed to driving south towards my hometown of Blacksburg, Virginia.

And, shockingly enough, I. Did. Not. Panic. Needless to say, I was quite surprised with myself. While I had to continuously refresh my maps application on my iPhone in order to get myself back on the right track, I was also somehow able to take the moment and enjoy seeing DC from a different point of view.

After several (failed) attempts at getting myself back on track, I finally made it to Constitution Avenue. And then I was in Stop and Go traffic for 2 miles before I hit 66 West. It probably took me a good 35-45 minutes to drive those 2 miles. And yet, contrary to what I would have expected of such a moment, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The sun was hitting the monuments in the most striking way. Time stood still. Figuratively and literally. My impatience was put on hold and I found myself completely appreciating my unexpected (and quite unplanned) detour.

Choosing MY Own Adventure.

I’ve had enough. Enough complaining. Enough pouting. Enough feeling sorry for myself. Enough acting as if the situation is out of my control. Enough of this negative, pessimistic, defeatist attitude.

Maybe the world doesn’t owe me anything, maybe the world isn’t my oyster, BUT that does NOT mean that I should give up believing in the possibility of achieving my dreams.

Because if I don’t believe in myself, how can I expect anyone else to believe in me?

From here on out…I am choosing my own adventure.

Maybe I’ll go back to Antwerp and become fluent in Dutch. Maybe I’ll go to Iceland and become a hot Viking chick. Maybe I’ll join the Peace Corps and save the world. Maybe I’ll escape to the mountains of Colorado on a permanent yoga retreat. Maybe I’ll travel down Tobacco Road and get my doctorate at UNC. Maybe I’ll dance on down to Latin America and Zumba my way through life. Maybe I’ll awaken Ansel Adams from the dead and steal his eye for genius black-and-white photography. Or perhaps I’ll follow all of my crazy dreams, as ever-changing as they are, and just see where I end up.

It’s MY life. It’s MY adventure. I could flip to page 13 or page 207…whatever I choose.

Hang on, folks! It might be a bumpy ride!