I’ve been laughing at how quickly all my best-laid plans just kind of went sideways. I thought I had this trip with my dogs mapped out perfectly with the timing, the route, and the stops. But then, I encountered one little hiccup after another. A tire sensor acting up, late departures, and rolling into towns I didn’t even plan to see. I somehow even ended up in a fancy hotel with two German shepherds in tow. None of it was what I pictured, but it actually turned out better.

As frustrating as change can feel in the moment, I’ve found it brings unexpected gifts like extra time with loved ones, new confidence in my dogs (and myself), and the simple joy of realizing we can handle more than we think. That’s what today’s Wise Walk is all about. It’s embracing the open road, giving gratitude for the surprises, and seeing how getting out of our comfort zone deepens our rhythm with ourselves and those we care about.

• Where in your life are you navigating the metaphorical open road?
• Is it requiring you to embrace change, embrace possibilities, and get resourceful because the unexpected is happening and you have to navigate that unexpectedness?
• As you ponder and reflect, are you gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and of others?
• What lessons are you learning as you navigate your open road, your journey, or how you want to move from point A to point B?
• Where in your life are you open to your own rhythm and open to the open road?
• When you get curveballs in life or a delay of game, can you give gratitude for how you embrace the change?
• Can you give gratitude for the possibilities that surface from that change?
• Can you see what’s possible out of it and recognize that this was a blessing in disguise, not what you set out to do, not your original plan, but something even better?
• As you step outside your comfort zone and embrace the change and possibilities in front of you, are you giving gratitude for those unexpected blessings?
• Are you giving gratitude for how you rise to the level of your own expectations?
• Are you giving celebration and kudos to those around you who rise to the level of the expectations that you set?
• Where in your life are you giving gratitude and appreciation for how you are navigating and staying in rhythm and flow as you deepen your own experience?

I’d love to hear where in your life you’re giving gratitude and appreciation for how you’re navigating and staying in rhythm and flow. I have so much to give gratitude for including you, this podcast, and our weekly Wise Walks. 

Thank you for joining me, and I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode. Until next Thursday, keep your Stride On!

In this episode:

[02:14] My big lesson on this journey was the idea about embracing change and possibilities. I had intentions of leaving on a certain date, but I kept getting thrown curveballs.

[03:08] I'm goal-oriented and having my plans changed was frustrating. In reality there was no reason that I couldn't pivot, and I got to spend extra quality time with my family.

[04:35] The unexpected extra time that I got in St Augustine was really beautiful for me, my family, and my dogs.

[05:45] I ended up stopping in Mobile, Alabama and staying at a very nice downtown hotel. I had some anxiety about the whole thing, but the dogs behaved perfectly.

[07:39] I learned to embrace change when I'm in an environment that I didn't anticipate. The outcome was beautiful, and we were in a rhythm together.

[08:36] This set us up with the idea of possibilities and being able to handle whatever was before us.

[09:59] I also ended up connecting with a friend in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was an unexpected, awesome blessing to meet up with my friend on a road trip.

[12:32] I had targeted destinations, but now I've learned it's better to go with the flow.

[13:35] Embracing change and trying new things gets us out of our comfort zone. This expanded my understanding of myself and of my dogs and their capabilities. I have to give them more credit.

[15:48] How often in our life can we embrace this mentality where we step out of our comfort zone and embrace change and then give gratitude for it?

Memorable Quotes:

• “The best moments aren’t the ones I planned. They’re the ones that showed up when I finally stopped trying to control every detail.” - Mary Tess
• “I am gaining so much, and the dogs are gaining so much. We are gaining as a family unit by learning the rhythm of the road and learning what we're capable of while inviting transformation and going with the flow.” - Mary Tess
• “The rhythm of the road is a lot like the rhythm of life. It can be messy and unpredictable, but full of hidden gifts.” - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram