NESSA’S NOTIONS: Alternate route ahead
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Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
By VANESSA W. SNYDER
Recently listened to a Tony Evans sermon on detours, which are unexpected, frustrating and beyond our control.
Clearly, I’ve hit one on this doctoral journey. I won’t get into the details, other than saying it has required me to kind of restart.
Yes, I honestly thought I would be finished with this doctorate thing by now, but I’m on a detour and it’s not fun. As Dr. Evans said, they slow us down, change our path and – though aggravating – ultimately get us to the destination.
If you think about it, detours help you learn new ways of getting where you want to be.
In this case, it has taught me patience (again), resilience, humility, control, boldness, and confidence. Yes, that’s a lot, but I’m a whole different person from the sister who started this journey nearly five years ago.
I’m stronger and think I’m smarter. And more aware of self.
Aware that I can’t crawl back in time and correct my missteps (or anyone else’s). Aware that I must take ownership of my process. Aware that sometimes I act or don’t act out of fear. Aware that it’s critical to focus until reaching my goal.
Detours are like that.
When you hit one, there’s no choice but to perk up and pay more attention to where you’re going. You even start to notice things, some that you didn’t notice before.
With each twist and turn, you learn about your strengths, your motivations, your insecurities, and even your fears.
So yes, I’ve been on a long, winding, grueling alternate route. But I feel myself slowly rounding the curve as I learn and grow.
If you’re on a detour, just hold on tight and stay focused. Take it all in.
You will reach your destination.
