Detours and Destinations
“Are Han-uh and An-thee-uh in the building?” Oh me oh my. A few very loud call for us over the bustle of the crowded room! So everyone now knew who Hannah and Anthea were- as we squished our way through. We were standing in the queue to board The Men in Black ride at Universal Studios. Our kind gentlemen had gone to secure our belongings in the lockers while we queued. Because they had mistakably landed up in the fast pass queue, we lost each other.
This queue took them straight through to board the ride. Much to their surprise, we were not there. The kindest, yet loudest lady in the room reunited us through the secret passages and lift.
Interestingly, on our detour to the ride, there were fun, interactive rooms of movie scenes and snippets. Hannah and I experienced most of the ride’s introductions and entertainment, but the men missed it all. And I’m not sure if we took the actual ride experience all in, as we were still recovering from the loud summon.
The instant world in which we live can be intensely destination focused. And in fast-paced living, destinations summon loudly, ‘Get here, now!’ But the reality is that there are often frustrating, unwelcome and unscheduled detours along the way. It’s very seldom plain sailing. The detour takes us, what we think is the long way around, but it can enrich and improve the overall experience – which we see in hindsight. One exits the detour with a wider view and a depth not gained through the fast pass.
We often meet our detours with embarrassment, frustration, trepidation, despair, anger, and disappointment. Understandable! Despite our feelings, there are still demands, which are often our saving grace!
Ironically, detours also summon:
- Discipline: Although detours are unwelcomed and unplanned, they still call for discipline. You probably won’t feel like it, but applying yourself to the detour is crucial. You cannot check out now. There is a level of commitment needed for this new path. This is not easy, but don’t let the emotional toll of the detour determine your commitment to this path. Discipline increases efficiency and effectiveness. Remember previous rhythms and routines that contributed to your success in the past and work them into the current detour. Be true to you. The more discipline you exercise, the more ordered your detour will seem.
- Decisions: While you may feel as if you’ve lost control through the detour, you’re not off the hook regarding decisions. Although you didn’t choose or ask for the detour, you are still going to need to make decisions in the detour or other people or the circumstances might do it for you. Decide how you are going to respond to the detour. Prioritize the most important decisions. In spite of much uncertainty, decisions bring clarity. They defuse the anxiety and give you a sense of gaining control again, which in turn promotes hope! By making a decision you are actually deciding to take charge and progress. The more decisions you make, the more you get to determine what the next steps look like.
- Delivery: Expectations of others don’t cease in detours. There are still people counting on you despite what you are experiencing. There is a need to deliver. Do as much as you’re able to do. Delivery gives you purpose, no matter how small. Make intentional deliveries. The more you deliver, the more momentum you will gain in order to continue.
Fast passes may give you pace, but you run the risk of mistakes and loss along the way. You may miss out on the richness and depth available to you. And sometimes you are not actually prepared for the destination. Detours also take you to the destination.
So, quieten the destination’s loud summon and enjoy the ride! You will get there!