New paths


One of the best things about my new hometown is running over this bridge. It’s about half a mile from my home and at its peak, I’m rewarded with panoramic views of the ocean and the NYC skyline in the distance. After the last couple of weeks, I was ready for a good run.
But Friday, it seemed it was gonna be a hard pass - like a completely glazed over with ice, fall on my butt pass. My first thought? "Well, that's it. Time to head home."
Isn't it funny how our initial reaction is often to just... give up? As I turned around, I realized that while my regular route was impassable, the other side of the bridge had melted somewhat. Sure, it wasn't perfect. But it was manageable. Doable. Different, but possible.
As I picked my way along this new path, dodging slick spots and discovering clear stretches, it struck me how perfectly this morning's run captured our current moment. So often, we find our usual routes blocked, our familiar paths are suddenly hot messes (or in my case, frigid messes). The temptation to turn back and wait until conditions are "perfect" again can be pretty darn tempting.
But here's what I'm learning (and maybe you are too): when our preferred path is blocked, it's not necessarily a stop sign. Maybe it's an invitation to look around, to notice the alternatives we might have missed before. Sometimes, the new route feels awkward at first and requires more attention and more careful steps. (And yes, in case you’re wondering, eventually I hit another impassable stretch and had to pivot again, exploring yet another direction).
That's the thing about adaptation – it's rarely a one-and-done deal. It's more like a dance, a constant adjustment to changing conditions. And while it might not be what we planned, this dance of flexibility often leads us to discoveries we'd have missed on our usual path.
What "iced-over path" are you facing right now? What alternative routes might be waiting just across the street, if you pause long enough to look?
BTW, I really hope you’ll join us at Uplifters Live on March 13 for a full day of deep connections, courage-building, and celebration! Grab your ticket HERE. Every ticket supports Emma's Torch (empowering refugees through culinary education + catering our amazing lunch), 826NY (uplifting the voices of diverse young authors), and Lonely Worm Farm (an arts and ecology organization for people of all abilities).
With gratitude and courage,
Aransas
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Aransas
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