New Roads

Last weekend I took a little trip to a fairly familiar place; a city I’ve visited to a few times before.

This place is known for its culture and a famous hurricane in 2005 . It’s known for the food (and drink) and these delicious things called beignets. It backs up to the great Mississippi River and it’s also known for it’s Mardi Gras celebrations.

Yes, I’ve traveled there before but not the way I went this time, with the sun shining on my side of the car the entire way there. The conversation was easy and the best music played in the background the whole time.

 

The person I went with showed me new things there, and even a new way to get there.

I was hesitant at first. The mere suggestion of going a different way left me feeling uneasy.

However, I decided to trust this time.

 

The truth is, I wanted to go the way I have always gone. The comfortable, known way. But the other truth is, that I am already on a different path than before…

 

Sometimes it can be really hard to change. Other times it is easier, especially when change is necessary.

New-to-you roads have different scenery and places to stop. They introduce new names and there are different bridges to cross. They have different histories and bumps.

They can be a little scary because of the unknown.

 

 

However, I am learning to embrace the unknown and new paths.

This time around I went to a festival I’ve never attended before and spent time on a famous street I’ve never walked on before (no, not Bourbon, BTDT). I heard music I’d never heard before and shopped in a few places I’ve never stepped foot in before (and one I have – Anthro, I love you). I also ate in restaurants I’d never eaten at before (and one I have, The Old Coffee Pot, still a favorite for “lost bread”).

Sometimes a mix of tried and true and new is the thing to do (Gah, I sound like Dr. Suess!)

I was in a “rut” but I’m out of it. I was lost but now I am finding myself. I was sad but now I am happy.

Part of this is due to the fact that I am willing to take a chance (or two), doing my best to enjoy every day and having faith.

And for me, that is really what it comes down to – faith. Faith to take a new road and let it lead me where it will…

 

“Faith doesn’t make sense that’s why it makes miracles.” – John Di Lemme