The Strange crossroad

Once I reached a strange crossroad. Till that point, my road was more or less straight with occasional turns and huge gutters. Whenever I bumped over a gutter and hurt my back I used to wonder, why the hell do I smash into so many of them? Just when I finished contemplating one tryst with gutter, the next smashing was over and this went on till I reached this strange crossroad.

I stopped myself and viewed my options. Something inside, asked me to turn around and walk back. It was one of those moments in life when you just listen to yourself and do not dare to question it. I walked back. What started as a few fleet of steps ended up being a mile. And then, I felt I was ready for that strange crossroad.

My journey back was slow this time, but I saw the gutters and turns I traversed. They were evil, they were life threatening and they did give me scars. But I travelled so fast the first time that I failed to appreciate the challenges. I failed to see how it completely marred me even though I crossed them. This time I was careful. I traversed them but without hurting myself.

I reached the crossroad. A mile back I had made a choice. But now, I was apprehensive. I looked at the two options again. They both had a blind turn a few yards away. They both looked so similar yet so different. I know my destiny depends on the road. Is it?

No. 

My destiny depends on how I take those roads. The gutters showed me how challenges look, how they can inflict injuries on me, without even my conscious knowledge. I was racing against an unknown deadline. My walk back took time and now I’m not racing against anything.

My road trip started with several objectives. But now, all summed into just one objective – a pleasant ride. That solved everything. Even though it was several miles away I saw my destination. I know how it looks. I know how I would feel once there and more than anything I was not worried when I will reach. It will be in this lifetime and that’s all mattered.