Imagine you were taking a long road trip from PA to CA. You have packed your car, checked the tires, filled the windshield washer fluid tank, charged your cell phone, programmed the GPS (or checked out the map if you prefer to read your directions folded like an accordian:), maybe you have your favorite CD’s or books on tape, ready to roll.  You know that the direction you need to head to get there, is West, so you drive 500 miles , admiring the breathtaking scenery and suddenly you get a hankering (who knows why?) to turn back around and go East for awhile. Now, will you get to Cali sooner or later if you keep driving East?  A simple answer with an easily identifiable solution…Go West Young Man (or Woman)!  I use that as a metaphor when working with clients who tend to self sabotage. They may be chugging along for awhile and all of a sudden they throw up their hands in disgust with the entrenched beliefs that nothing will ever change in their lives. I give them a cross between a Mona Lisa smile and goofy grin, knowing that, of course, much has changed since they have been away and are now ready to continue on the path.

I have done it myself. Not as much anymore, thank goodness. I found myself (or lost myself) setting up roadblocks when things have felt ‘too good’. I created detours when a direct route might have gotten me to my destination sooner. I allowed myself to be ‘cut off’ enroute by slow moving cars putt-putting along in front of me. All created out of fear of really arriving at my chosen objective. I do know this…if things had been different, had I made different choices in career, relationship, housing, health, I wouldn’t be where I am now. If certain challenging situations had never existed, I may not have made those choices or met the people who have been my teachers of love.  I am fascinated with the concept of alternate realities….things happening simultaneously with different ‘me’s’ engaged in various activities. For example, one aspect of myself is writing this at 1:25 a.m. est, because I woke up a short while ago from deep sleep that began a few hours ago and the Muse beckoned with come-hither fingers, daring me to stay awake with her for a bit, promising restful slumber soon after. Another may be in Hawaii, under a waterfall with my Beloved. Still another may be speaking before a group of folks who desire to live their own rich, full and juicy lives.  Those too are part of my journey. If I trust where I am guided, the ride is much more fun and fulfilling. And maybe, just maybe the destination won’t matter so much if  I am intentionally discovering joy in the journey; without being an accidental tourist.  And aren’t we all just on our way back home?

http://youtu.be/MP74a2jQhDM Two of Us by the Beatles