Monday, May 01, 2006

The Detour

The long-weekend beckons. And with it comes the open road. Our family took to the N2 highway out of Cape Town: a road that twists and turns with purpose and invitation. We all gradually settle down to the rhythm of the road, and the road itself seems to settle down and become more predictable. A bit like life really. Our lives begin with so much promise and adventure. And we eagerly look forward to each moment. But gradually we settle into a routine. And now in the middle years, I feel like I know this life of mine.

But then I look around and discover that there are interesting side roads off the N2. Where is Suurbraak? And what is at Herbertsdale? And on a whim we turn off to explore Die Rooi Alwyn, and return to our trip enriched and invigorated because of this detour. A bit like life really. There are unplanned detours that life presents which, when taken, can enrich and enhance the quality of our lives. The trick is to figure out if the side-road is just temporary, or if it is a new direction in life. But a truly rich life must be lived in the detours rather than in achieving the destination. I am grateful for those friends who point me to these enriching side roads. I plan to take many detours. Pray for me: that I may have the wisdom to know the difference between getting lost, and being refreshed in life. Posted by Picasa

3 comments:

digitaldion (Dion Forster) said...

Very true indeed! We need a few brave souls like you who are prepared to venture off the beaten track and tell the rest of us what they are like.


AND! Now that I have a new clutch cable on my Orange Vespa, it is time to take a few side roads.

It's a brave new world.

Live by Ghandi, learn from google...

Anonymous said...

You are quite right - life is about the journey (wherever that may take us) and not just getting to the destination (boring)
We all know what our final destination is - death awaits us all and so our final revenge must be to live WELL!

Anonymous said...

All the worlds roads lead to the heart of the warrior; he plunges unhesitatingly into the river of passions always flowing through his life.
The warrior knows that he is free to choose his desires, and he makes these decisions with courage, detachment and - sometimes - with a touch of madness.
He embraces his passions and enjoys them intensly. He knows that there is no need to renounce the pleasures of conquest; they are part of life and bring joy to all those who participate in them.
But he never loses sight of those things that last or of the strong bonds that are forged over time.
A warrior can destiguish between the transient and the enduring.