Lesson #1: pick one resource and follow it to a 'T'. Do not try to combine mapquest, with atlas, with Garmin's advice...Have faith in the one you have chosen and go with it. Kind of like a significant other. That's another blog.
So after all these years of being lost, I have just one question: What is wrong with being lost? Throwing the map out the window and just going for it? Don't we already spend enough time planning? Take it from an expert, being lost is an adventure that can be liberating. You wouldn't believe how nice people can be. I can't name the number of times where rolling down my window, confessing that "I am lost" has led to dinners, drinks, friendships, coffee dates, and best of all memories. This doesn't just happen in my car, it happens when traveling anywhere with me. While in Italy and Costa Rica being lovestruck by the beauty of the land and culture, asking for directions led to dinner with strangers who are now friends, mingling in language and culture, and the spectacular 'hidden' views that were not listed on the local travel maps. And this is where the "Serendipit-You" comes into play. Sometime soon: throw the map out the window, the planner in the purse, and just go exploring. Take your friend, a spouse, or go solo...at the very least, it will lead to great conversation or alone time for you. I promise you won't regret it.
On a side note, you know what the most interesting aspect of all this is? I ALWAYS get to where I am going. Kind of how life works. We may not all be where "we thought we would be at at the ripe old age of ___, 32 for me, but you know what? We will all get there. Some of us just chose to ask for directions, while others take the scenic route. Some can't help the built in compass that they have, while others long for it. But we all have a journey, a destiny, a vision.
Tonight: remember a time when you were lost. I bet you smile...maybe even laugh out loud.
