Unexpected Wisdom from an Unexpected Trip
I recently had to take a 16-hour road trip from Texas to Wisconsin. There’s something uniquely transformative about a long road trip.
It was an experience that, despite its exhaustion, taught me things about myself that I didn’t expect.
The Power of Silence
Normally, I have several audiobooks and playlists queued up in anticipation of a long road trip. This time I turned off my books and let the quiet take over.
At first, it felt weird, uncomfortable even. I kept reaching for the ON button on my radio. Instead I listen to the sounds outside my car. My tires on the road. The wind whooshing on my windows. It became meditative. It allowed me to be alone with my thoughts in a way I rarely am.
I did some of my deepest thinking about things I had been ‘percolating’ on. You know, all those things we put off thinking about because we are ‘too busy’ with our lives.
This silence provided me with the clarity I didn’t even know I needed. And, it helped me to be with honest with myself about some decisions I’ve been putting off.
A huge weight lifted I didn’t even realizing I was carrying. This allowed me to go outside myself and look at the world outside my window.
The Stories Behind the Miles
Whether it was stopping for gas, eating a meal at a roadside diner, or passing through countless towns, I couldn’t help thinking about the stories they might reveal.
Each mile was a reminder of the countless lives that unfold in these places. Some bustling with activity. Others silent and almost forgotten.
I started to feel a little disconnected from the world and began to cherish the small interactions with strangers. A smile from the cashier, a short chat with a fellow traveler, or the friendly banter with a waitress.
Interactions I have every day at home but often overlook them because I’m always in a hurry.
The most memorable moments of my trip, and of our lives really, are the simple ones. The trip taught me that life can be incredibly rich in its simplicity.
Slow down. Enjoy the moments.
The Road Will Always Teach You Something
I wrapped up my road trip feeling tired but fulfilled with the realization that every journey has something to teach us.
Whether you’re traveling to escape, to discover, or simply to get from one place to another, there’s always something to be learned along the way. The key is to be open to the experience, to let the road teach you rather than forcing your own agenda.
In the end, the 16-hour drive wasn’t just about reaching my destination. It was about the reflections, insights, and lessons I gathered along the way.
