Road Less Traveled
Yesterday the below quote landed in my inbox and whether you believe in divine intervention or not, it found me on the right day, at the right time, as we ended our five day journey Across the Plains.
“Be fearless. Have the courage to take risks. Go where there are no guarantees. Get out of your comfort zone even if it means being uncomfortable. The road less traveled is sometimes fraught with barricades, bumps and uncharted terrain. But it is on that road where your character is truly tested AND have the courage to accept that you’re not perfect. Nothing is and no one is — and that’s okay.” - Katie Couric
I’ve had five days, 1,939 miles, 35 driving hours and countless bathroom breaks to reflect. And this is what I’ve come up with.
Memories are the most precious gift we have. William wrote a diary during his 5-month journey that inspired this trip. During our 5-day trip each of us shared stories of family members past, some having multiple versions that we may never agree on but were fun to cross reference. We also created new memories with those that joined us on the road, for a distance or just a stop. These exact moments in time can’t be recreated, but they will live on in our minds for years to come and some day be a part of the family story tree where details may fade but the essence will live on forever.
Character is the foundation of a good life. There are excerpts from William’s diary that profoundly acknowledge the mistreatment and bias toward the Native population that existed during his journey. Today as I walk around Portland I see a city that wears its heart on its sleeve and I can’t help but think that William and others like him helped bring a level of understanding and compassion here. He was not perfect and nor are any of the rest of us but when we lead a life filled with the idea of loving our neighbor as ourselves, then we create the space for others to feel seen and accepted. Isn’t that the end goal?
Be courageously imperfect. William only had a few guide books and his instinct on his 1862 journey. As we followed along (with our digital directions and multi-channel charging vehicle), and read his progress I kept questioning why he made certain decisions. Why cross the river when it took so much effort and had so much risk? What I wasn’t taking into account was the courage it took to make decisions while facing the unknown. I’ve had my share of personal and professional decisions in the last year, faced with many unknowns. This trip has given me the space to reflect and trust the trail. I am walking away with his diary as one of my new guide books and a renewed discovery of my instinct.
It’s the night before we fly home and I can’t help but go to bed filled with gratitude. Grateful for this opportunity to have a past to look back on. Grateful for the memories created with my family this past week. I am mostly grateful to have the time to build my character and be surrounded by people who love and support that journey. Thank you for following along.