I was driving down a road today, one I travel often, and just enjoying the drive and scenery. I noticed the green grass, cows in fields and birds flying around with no thought of how long it would take to reach my destination. I’ve traveled this road countless times. I know where it leads, how long it takes to arrive and all the hills, twists and turns it has.

For a brief moment I thought how different the drive would be had I never been down this road before. Instead of seeing the beauty, being patient and enjoying the trip, I’d be focused on the road itself. Wondering how long it would take me to arrive and trying to foresee any sharp turns ahead, would distract me from seeing and enjoying many of the sights and moments along the way.

Driving a new road isn’t always scary, it’s just unfamiliar. Like watching a movie you’ve already seen, sometimes you don’t notice certain things until your second, third, etc. time around.

Whether you are focused on the destination, or just enjoying the path there, if you stay on the road you will arrive. You may get there early, perhaps a bit late. You may forget something and have to turn around and start over.

My short little drive made me wonder if arriving with only memories of the twists, turns, and hills in the pavement, feels the same as arriving fully aware of all the beauty surrounding the road itself.