Rocky Road- More than Just an Ice Cream Flavor

Maneuvering a Bumpy Path

How Do We Avoid Tripping or Falling?

In life we are not guaranteed an easy way or a clear path. Sometime we have to realize that we've encountered a rocky road. But then what do we do? How do we manage to make our way over the bumps, the twigs, the rocks and reach our final destination unscathed? How can we find the energy and motivation to keep going even when the road seems impossible? To be quite honest, I just don't know. I don't seem to have the answers to these questions as I encounter some major rocks. I find myself having a hard time keeping my balance and finding the strength and skills to maneuver my bumpy path to reach an unknown destination. Life can be hard and gives no promises or guarantees. Where do we find the momentum to keep going and face the hardships when our future is full of question marks? What if the future is full of crap? What if our final destination doesn't end up being worth all the bumps? These are questions I am currently grappling with and I just don't seem to be able to find fulfilling answers. I want to have the answers, I wish I was full of infinite wisdom that I could give to myself as well all of you, but my mind just seems to be empty. I am going to turn to some quotes, per usual, as an attempt to find some answers or at least motivation to propel myself forward on this crazy path of life.

"Until you reach the end of the road, there's still time to change the path you've chosen."

-Susan Gale

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

-Dr. Seuss

“Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.” 

-Albert Schweitzer

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” 

-Lao Tzu

So here we have a number of diverse quotes. What do they all mean? Can we apply them to our thoughts as a means of getting through the rough times in our lives? As Gale says, we have the ability to choose our paths, if this is true than we can get off the rocky road at any time we choose. Wouldn't that be nice? Just make the choice to choose a new path for your life and pursue it. Or Dr. Seuss explains that some of the most complex questions have the simplest answers. So my complicated and intrusive thoughts may be quelled with the most simplistic answers or means. And Schweitzer insists that no matter how down we feel there's always the possibility that at any moment a friendship, relationship, or interaction with another human can bring us back to life! I know I have experienced this gift before but somehow the light continues to go out when I least expect it. I can't constantly rely on a chance encounter with another person to help me and bring me out of a downward spiral. But perhaps the most insightful of all is Lao Tzu who insists that those who enjoy their life the most are those who appreciated the past and are not focused on the future or end result. I don't know if any of these quotes are right or helpful or able to provide answers to me or any of you but I do believe they can't hurt. Seeking inspiration or motivation to guide you in your life, help you in your journey toward happiness, or drive you to continue trying every day cannot harm or inhibit you. Searching for inspiration- quotes, books, lyrics, music, people- is proof that you want more, that you're trying to maneuver the road, prevent yourself from tripping or falling. As long as you keep searching you haven't given up or completely lost hope. If you still have hope you can still be propelled forward to reach the happy life you deserve inspite of the hard times. We may have a rocky road but we are not the only ones who have been dealt this path. Others have been given similarly taxing lives- struggles, adversity, pain- and conquered them. With the knowledge that it's been done before we can face our personal trials with the confidence that we are capable of doing it as well.

Keep striving to manage the bumps along the way,

xo