The Interstate road system in the United States is a bit of a marvel depending on your definition of marvel. You can get from here to there more quickly and more efficiently than before it existed. It provides a national infrastructure project with a seemingly tangible benefit for those working to build and maintain it and for those who use it.
It is also a wonderful metaphor describing how we often sacrifice the journey for the destination. When the Interstate road system was built, as evidenced by looking at any map of the roadways of the United States, straight lines from here to there were the choice. There was little to no consideration given to the things one might bypass and not get to experience. Interesting towns, wayside diners, geologic wonders might get a sign on the side of the Interstate but not easy access. Certainly no meandering discoveries. Just purposeful destination focus.
Much of our lives are lived on figurative Interstates. We are hyper-focused on the destinations: college degree, great job, marriage, birth of a child, first million, home ownership, and so forth. All paths must go as quickly and efficiently as possible to our next check mark.
What do we miss? The old phrase of “stop and smell the roses” seems cliche and a bit trite but has a message we need especially today. I wonder if much of the discomfort of pandemic restrictions comes from no longer being able to smell the roses we are forced to stop beside.
We are teaching our children to hurry and hustle, that instant gratification is a right, that they can be perfect, and none of that is true or good. We don’t celebrate the journeys of life, the unfolding of gratitude, and the resilience of adjustment and resetting expectations. Or just booting the heck out of expectations.
We believe the destination of acquisition and perfect is what matters. We miss out on what the journey towards anything has to teach us, to delight us, and to help us see that growth comes not in arriving but in living.
What will surprise you today? Will you see?
Just Sayin' 