A Road Trip - with an autopilot

Have you ever pondered on the analogy that life is like a road trip? We involuntarily join this journey without either an invitation nor knowing the stops along the way, yet we are certain about the final destination, on this trip filled with unexpected twists and turns, delightful or unwanted scenery, like or not they are there.

The Passenger Seat Perspective

Have you thought that you were the driver of the road trip? We ended up finding ourselves in the passenger seat, with an autopilot. We may feel compelled to grumble at the autopilot for not taking us where we want or wish we had more control over our direction. However, just like on a car ride, we have two choices: either rant and rave at the system, or we can lean back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views along the way.

Embracing the Unpredictability

Life, much like a road trip, is full of surprises (welcomed or unwelcome). We encounter roadblocks (things we want to move forward with but are not able to), detours (we plan, plan and plan, then find life has automatically steered the route to a totally different way), and unexpected sights that challenge us (illness? pain? loss, grief and death?). Have you believed that you could fix the destination by trying harder and planning even more in detail, then still not working in the way you wished for? Instead, have you thought maybe we could simply embrace the unpredictable nature of the ride? After all, it's the detours and unplanned stops that often teach us how to grow and build strength, even leading to the most memorable experiences and meaningful encounters.

Joy in being willing for things to be as they are

As we coast along the road of life, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, fixated on reaching the next milestone or destination. But what if we paused for a moment to appreciate the journey itself? Just like a road trip where the joy is in the adventure, not just the arrival, life's beauty lies from moment to moment to moment along the way. Whether it's a breathtaking sunrise, a spontaneous pit stop, or an unexpected fall on a perfect hike in the wood. Can we see these moments that enrich our lives and make the journey more worthwhile?

Welcoming the unknown

When we relinquish the need for control and embrace the serendipitous nature of life, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities. Just as a road trip can lead us to unexpected destinations and encounters, life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. By letting go of our rigid expectations and allowing ourselves to be swept up in the flow of life, we may discover hidden gems and treasures we never knew existed.

Openness and Emptiness

Like water, it does not surrender to the resistance it encounters, instead, it finds ways to continue. It seemed to enjoy the flow of the journey, as we navigate the twists and turns of our road trip, remember that the beauty of the journey lies not in the destination, but in the experiences. Be empty minded, only when a cup is empty, a new flavory beverage can be filled in. Leave the heart spacious, let the frustration come and watch it go, let the pain come and watch it go, let the excitement come and watch it go. Enjoy lack of control and reveling in the freedom of surrender, cherish every bump and bend, riding on the crooked road is the nature of life.

Sit back, relax, enjoy the autopilot, have fun on this adventure.