How Do You Navigate the Roadblocks of Life?
Observing the way you navigate real roadblocks offers meaningful insight into managing the inevitable roadblocks that occur in life.
My Story
In last week’s newsletter, I shared that just recently, on the only decent road to our home, someone hit the bridge causing structural damage.
Without notice, the state road declared the bridge unsafe, put up “road closed” signs, and barricaded the bridge using concrete pillars.
Without question, the road is definitely closed for the foreseeable future.
And yet, daily, I see vehicles driving past our house, completely ignoring the road closed signs.
People pull up to the barricade, take stock of the situation, realize it’s for real, and then proceed trying to make a U turn on a one lane road.
Each time it happens, I want to flag them down and ask what they were thinking.
What are their thoughts as they drive past, and disregard the “road closed” sign?
Whatever the reason, I have found a mini life lesson in the midst of the roadblock saga.
In life, we will all encounter roadblocks. It’s not a matter of if, but of when.
Observing how myself, my family, and even strangers have navigated a very real roadblock has provided a tiny bit of insight and wisdom about navigating the roadblocks of life we will all eventually encounter.
Note: Today the state road completely removed the bridge. It is gone!
First, the Emotions
There were lots of emotions when I realized the main road out of our “holler” was closed.
Frustration, anger, and disbelief.
I simply didn’t have time in my daily routine for this very real inconvenience.
I’m sure the people encountering the concrete barriers experienced the same steering wheel thumping emotions.
However, despite the emotions, nothing changed.
The road remained closed.
When navigating life’s roadblocks, you might need a minute.
You may need to have and feel all the emotions.
Just don’t get stuck.
No amount of anger and frustration will change the situation.
Then the Reaction
Proceed to the route.
Just like GPS, our instinct is to proceed to the route, to hold on to hope and pray that if we simply keep going, the way will magically open up.
Hope is a great thing.
However, ignoring the signs that a roadblock is imminent wastes time and makes turning around and going in a different direction a lot more difficult.
Don’t give up hope but heed the signs and know when to turn around.
Getting to Acceptance
In this instance, our family had no choice but to immediately accept the situation.
Not accepting it, simply meant we were stuck in our “holler”.
Life is like that too.
Occasionally, we encounter a roadblock that is so huge, so massive, that immediate acceptance is the best course of action.
The sooner you accept it, the quicker you can reroute.
Not accepting the situation leaves you “stuck”.
Finally, the Reroute
Rerouting has been the most interesting to observe.
There is a choice of three additional routes to a main road, none of them great choices.
Of the four adults in our family, we all have differing opinions of which one is the “best way” out.
They all lead to a main road, eventually, just by different routes.
Life is like that.
When we run into roadblocks in life, there might be more than one alternative route.
When faced with a choice, choose the right route for yourself, not the route your friend or neighbor thinks you should take.
You’re the one that’s going to have to navigate your choice. Don’t be stuck navigating someone else’s choice of routes.
How do you navigate the roadblocks in life?
Give it some thought.
The next time life puts up a roadblock, you might find that you’re just a little better prepared to deal with it than you have been in the past.
********************
TAKE ACTION!
Are you getting Micki’s Little Letter!
********************