People often say it's not about the destination, but the journey to get there.
We tend to become focused on where we are going, we completely miss everything it takes to get there. The journey is what makes life special, what makes the destination and what makes that accomplishment worth it.
After you accomplish something big - whether it was graduation, a fundraiser, a marathon, whatever it is - there seems to be a let down. Almost a disappointment that the event is over. So much work went in to it and then - BAM - it's done. I've felt this experience so many times. But, reflecting back, if you focus on just the accomplishment, all of the work that went in to it gets put by the wayside and it feels like your big achievement meant nothing. The fact of the matter is, when you look at it in this light, there is little to be proud of. But when you look at the big picture, at EVERYTHING it took to get to where you are, then that is something to be proud of.
I often think of the thousands of miles I've put on chasing race cars around the country. Driving through the night so we can get to the next track and have time to rest before we race - then pack it all up and do it again. Passing tons of beautiful places and thinking to myself "Wow, that would be an AMAZING picture" as we flew by, not taking the five minutes to stop the truck, jump out, and take that picture. When we get home, so tired from the hustle and bustle, what is there to show of that last adventure? A few fuel receipts, a lot of fast food, and some good times at the race track. But what about everything in between? That's what I miss now.
It reminds me of Garth Brooks' song, "Pushing Up Daisies"...There's two dates in time that they'll carve on your stone and everyone knows what they mean what's more important is the time that is known in that little dash there in between...
Maybe we would get a lot more out of life if we didn't have a destination? If we just focused on going...somewhere...anywhere. Enjoy what you're doing while working towards where you are going. Don't forget the journey.
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