Fear and Your Internal GPS

After a crazy travel experience, I arrive at Kangaroo Island this past Monday.

Since my cell service failed to be turned on for international travel (which has turned out to be a blessing), upon arriving at the airport, I connect to the WIFI and attempt to call an Uber.

A kind airport employee goes to me, “Howdy mate, I apologize for laughing, but there are no Ubers on this island. You need to rent a car.”

“Ah, okay,” I hesitantly say (knowing that means I must drive on the left side of the road).

Given that my cell phone service is off, I immediately ask for a car with GPS….only to quickly find out there are no cars with a GPS available.

From here, I am provided with a car that is to be driven on the left side of the road, an undetailed map with an “X” where my Airbnb is located “near,” and a friendly nod of encouragement.

It might seem funny to some people reading this, but I have used a GPS ever since I began driving, and to think I would not have step-by-step instructions in an unfamiliar location was quite… well… frightening. Add to the mix zero cell phone service and driving on the opposite of the road and you start to question your decision to travel a bit.

As I head home today, I reflect on the experience and significance of this map.

This past week, I have learned and noticed more than I have in quite a long time. Because I had the destination in mind and was not worried about every single little turn (this little map provided was quite undetailed, to say the least), I was able to enjoy the journey and notice all the things around me.

If I wanted to visit sights along the west, I would head west not knowing all the little twists and turns along the way. Even though I did not know exactly the route I’d take, would I end up where I wanted to be once I stopped driving? You bet.

When we look at our lives, many of us can see where we want to be down the road. However, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty arise as we don’t always our next few steps, how much time each step will take, or how many wrong turns we will make along the way.

But that, my friends, is where life is beautiful. 

Just like the map experience taught me, maybe it’s time for you to turn off your internal GPS for a bit. Just live and enjoy. Keep the end destination in mind; however, in between, don’t forget to live and enjoy life a little.