“Our life is an endless journey; it is like a broad highway that extends infinitely into the distance.”

~ Chögyam Trungpa

Trungpa says life is like a highway. That catchy yet annoying song says it’s a highway. Part of me wants to agree. Highways are so spacious. Entrances and exits are clearly marked. It’s a straight shot from where you are to where you want to go. Everyone is moving along swiftly in the same direction. If there are obstacles, someone will be there re-directing you. If there are delays, there are bright flashing signs explaining how long you will have to wait. It would definitely be more convenient if life were like that.

But it isn’t. Life is usually more like this:

Sometimes it’s bumpier than you expected.

Sometimes large buses come flying at you at 80 km/h.

Sometimes it feels like you are on the wrong side of the road and everything is backwards.

Sometimes you get stuck in the mud.

Sometimes you think you missed your turn, but then serendipitously find a wonderful little pub you would have missed if you hadn’t gotten “lost.”

Sometimes you have to get out of your car (or off your bike) and chase sheep out of the road.

Sometimes it’s so foggy that you need to stop, stay where you are and breathe a bit to get your bearings.

Sometimes there is so much blue sky that you just enjoy your ride and don’t worry about where you’re headed.

Sometimes it is so gorgeous, you roll down your windows, breathe in the lush, green air, and let yourself be lost.

Sometimes you stop, pull off the road, lie in the grass and watch the clouds go by for awhile.

Your life is not a highway with  every turn clearly marked, speed limits posted and billboards telling you what’s ahead.

Your life is a long and winding road with unexpected delights that make the bumps tolerable.

(And I wouldn’t trade that for a highway…not even for a second.)