Do you know where you are going?

I was in the Cape Drakensberg recently (a stunning area if you have never been). We left in a mad rush and headed in the direction of Lady Grey, our first stop for the weekend. We expected the journey to take us approximately 6 hours… When we past the 8 hour mark we knew we should stop and ask for directions. After a few u-turns and some dodgy pit stops, we made it to our destination.

Lady Grey is a charming small town but not exactly what we had pictured and hoped for. We purchased a map, asked some locals for advice, and decided we would go to Baloch, a campsite on the border of Lesotho.

 Baloch is an incredibly beautiful place! While admiring the breathtaking scenery, I thought to myself, life is a lot like this road trip.

Most of us are in a mad rush. We don’t always take the time to think about where we would like to go, and often end up in place where we don’t want to be… We each approach our journey differently. Some follow those in front of them.  Others follow the road their parents recommend, or the media suggests, or their partners choose.

 Others live by the road side, waiting for something to happen, watching others pass them by. Some go in circles; and some race ahead in the wrong direction.

 Sadly some people reach the end of their journey all too soon, and have to ask; “How did I get here?”

 Then there are those that forge ahead and create their own path.

 They understand that to head in the right direction, they should take time to think about where they would like to go. They understand that it is important to ask for directions, but still make their own choice about which path to take.

 They understand that there will be people that will push them in a certain direction. They listen respectfully, but they ultimately decide to follow their heart.

 They realize that it’s important to stop along the journey and refuel. They understand that driving too fast is dangerous - they may miss many beautiful people and places along the way. They understand that it’s important to remain flexible, as we often change along the way.

 They understand that there will be unexpected potholes and mountains to climb. But they know that they will find a way to go around the pothole, and they realize that mountains often offer the best view.

 And finally they understand that the journey is as important as the final destination.

 If you have never taken the time to think about where you are heading, I encourage you to do so. It’s never too late. Every path serves us in some way.

So don’t despair if you have landed in Cradock but just realized you wanted to be in Cape Town.

 Think about the years that lie ahead. What do you want them to look like?

 What do YOU need to DO to CREATE the LIFE YOU HAVE ALWAYS IMAGINED?

 Now is the time to create a compelling Life Vision. Be bold, be exciting, have fun! Don’t be realistic! This is your life.

YOU have the CHOICE to make it fun or boring; meaningful or wasteful!