While returning from a visit to an art gallery in a nearby town last week with an artist friend, we were pondering which way to turn in order to find our way back to the highway. As she reached for “Maggie”, her faithful GPS, I reflected on the days before GPS and cell phones. Growing up, I had some friends who would panic over the fear of getting lost. Fortunately, that was one fear I never struggled with because I believed it was impossible to get lost. As long as the car was moving and there were roads, I knew one would take me where I needed to go. I viewed it as a detour which although it may take me out of the way and delay the arrival at my destination; it would get me there eventually. To me, it was more of an adventure that provided new scenery and experiences along the way.
Therefore, to me, a detour is nothing more than an opportunity to make new discoveries… to experience and see things you would have otherwise missed.
Although I don’t always succeed, I try to apply that philosophy to life as well. When I encounter unforeseen circumstances in life, I have the choice to view them as a detour or derailment. I prefer to choose detour along with the surprise, joy and lessons it can unexpectedly produce.
The outer bands of tropical storm Ida raged through mid week bringing cloudy days and dumping buckets of rain….. But after the storm, the beauty of November at Hilton Head returned.
Saturday brought a glorious 75 degree day spent on the beach with the warm sand beneath my feet as I listened to the calming sound of waves crashing on the shore and the songs of gulls drifting on the wind. The rays of sun dancing like diamonds on the ocean surface brought back memories of childhood summer days at Oak Island while the laughter of children jumping waves drifted across the sandy beach bringing a smile to the faces of on-lookers. Numerous beloved pets romped in the sand and waves enjoying the freedom of the sunny day, delightfully welcoming the attention of passers-by. Everyone was enjoying being outside after the storm.
John and I rode bikes for awhile along the beach as a refreshing breeze gently kissed our backs. Trying to get a week’s worth of beach time and bike riding into one day drove us to the hot tub to soak our tired feet and legs before retiring for the evening. But it was worth it….It was a good way to end our week at Hilton Head before returning home.
September ended with the smell of Fall permeating the air as fire blazed in the back pasture consuming a pile of discarded debris from recently cleared land. A single wisp of blue smoke can still be seen spiraling upward from the remaining embers of yesterday’s bonfire. As the sun peeps over a bank of clouds on the eastern horizon, it catches a glimpse of its reflection in the silvery lake nestled at the foot of the hill. Meanwhile, the warmth of the first rays of sunlight gently nudge nature awake heralding a new day. Welcome, October!
As the sun peeps over the distant eastern hill and nature begins to awaken, the warmth of the sun kisses the cool morning dew on the rolling hills and creates a low dense fog hugging the ground like a fuzzy comfortable blanket. The cows begin to stir and the birds begin to sing….ahhhh….the beginning of yet another beautiful September morning.
“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music—-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” Henry Miller
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