WPC: The Road Taken

Posted on by Miriam

Have you ever had a dream so vivid you can still recall it decades later?  I have one. In mine I was standing at crossroads, literally, deciding which road to take.

At the same time in my waking life I had to make a decision. Go to University, where I’d deferred a year earlier, and study journalism (my dream career) or continue in a job I’d grown to love.

I chose the job and, in making that decision, steered my future into a completely different direction.

Open road and sky (800x600)

I’ll never know what would have happened had I chose the other road. Are there ever any right or wrong decisions?

Perhaps not. We steer our own course to a degree, and the universe usually throws in some curve balls along the way. But things usually turn out the way they’re supposed to.

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I let my dream go but I later traveled, met Doug and ultimately, through freelancing, returned to my love of writing. It’s like the road has come full circle.

The road I’ve taken has been a smooth and happy one though I’ll be lying if I said there haven’t been potholes, obstacles and road blocks along the way.  But that’s life isn’t it?

Distractions and detours and learning to deal with the unexpected makes life interesting.

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This weekend the road lead us to Acheron at Breakaway Twin Rivers Caravan Park, a beautiful riverside camping spot where we enjoyed dinner under the stars and breakfast amongst the ducks.

We came home via the scenic Cathedral State Park where the road and the mountain ranges rose up before us.


We drove through the majestic Black Spur, under a canopy of giant ferns and towering giants.

The road alternated between pockets of dazzling sunshine to long shadows in front of us.

It reminded me of the differences in our days. How sometimes we can feel so positive while other days leave us vulnerable and filled with doubts.

Straight stretches and curvy bends remind me of the complexities of life. Nothing is straight forward and things are often complex.  I’m often reminded “it is what it is”.

Yes, true, but life does get complicated. Or do we make it that way in our mind? Letting circumstances overwhelm us, instead of accepting how things are and pushing through barriers.

A road – life – can feel as though it’s smooth when suddenly the whole outlook changes.

Maybe we’re off-course.  Second guessing, misinterpreting, misunderstanding. It happens but we can get back on track.

Sometimes we just have to hold on tight and ride it out.  Because every road, no matter it’s direction, leads us forward. It might be bumpy but we can handle it.

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Every step we take, no matter how small, is significant. Every person we meet brings meaning to our life. Everything that happens to us is for a reason, even if we’re still figuring out what it is.

The trick is to notice and not to get so bogged down that we miss the moment, because that’s where magic is found.

The places we go, the people we meet, they’re all part of the journey. Even the dramas and the little things make us stronger and lead us forward.

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At the end off the day, no matter what roads we travel, they’re all taking us somewhere. I hope for you it’s somewhere wonderful.

Wishing you all happiness and peace on whatever road you’re on.

Stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.  In the end life is one big journey and it’s up to us how we approach it.

the-first-step

In response to The Daily Post Photo Challenge: The Road Taken

152 thoughts on “WPC: The Road Taken”

  2. Miriam, lifes journey interesting with the potholes.. though we dont like them.. but who knows what would have been…does it even matter.. may be this is the right way..

    As always love your post .. writing to photos to life compared to the beauty of oz..

    The best pic for me was the warning of the animals..you certainly wont get those in the uk..

    Love your posts and love your freelance and blogging..i may never have met you otherwise.

    Hugs

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    1. Aw Bella, such a nice comment. Thank you. I feel the same way, if it wasn’t for my writing and blogging I wouldn’t have met so many lovely people, like yourself. Take care. 🙂

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  3. Beautiful post my dear! 20 years ago I had to pick one road, a safe but not so happy or a happy but not so safe, I chose the last one. Until today I think how it would be if I had chosen the another one. Always there is the IF….

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  6. Beautiful post dear Miriam. We certainly think along the same lines. It’s a really interesting concept and the whole Sliding doors theory, and where life takes us. You have created some gorgeous metaphor styled writing. I love it. And your camping trip sounds peaceful and rejuvenating 🌟💕

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    1. It is an interesting concept isn’t it Di, sliding doors and what would and could have been. Thanks for your lovely comment. Yes, we had a great weekend camping, it was very peaceful. Now it’s back to the usual routine. Hope you have a happy week. 😊

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      1. Yes, I do ponder that often. I’m glad Miriam. The weather was certainly kind to you. Thank you..
        Enjoy your week too 🌟🌟

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        2. Hello Miriam! That’s perfectly ok. I’m finding the same issue both with comments on other blogs as well as people commenting on mine. Is the only access to spam folder via the email, please Miriam. I can’t seem to find it in the app 🌟🌟

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  9. Oh, I love how you always find the balance and the parallels between life and your travels. Yes, sometimes the shadows do get long. It is our faith that the sun still rises the next day that can keep us going. 🙂 lovely!

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  10. Black Spur looks gorgeous! And I know what you mean about the different roads we choose in life. It’s so easy to think “what if?” and wonder what would have happened if we had gone in a different direction in our past. But then we look at what do we do have…our husbands, our children, our homes and our jobs, and we realize that the road we choose was the right one in so many ways! Thanks, as always, for a post that makes us not only think, but appreciate what we have. Have a wonderful week….

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    1. Yes, I totally agree Ann. I look around at what and who I have in my life and I know I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for your great comment and have a wonderful week yourself. xo

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  11. Miriam, you have some wonderful reflection questions in this post including, “Does life get complicated or do we just make it that way in our mind?” I loved the photos creating a sense of being on the road with you. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  14. Gorgeous images that echo the journey of life. Sometimes, we can never know where life takes us. I have been a journalist by accident and happened by a stroke of chance by opened huge avenues for me. Right now, I am a freelancer but love this journey of life. Glad that we share similar passion, love for writing and journalism.

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  16. Hi Miriam, both my daughter and I had a rough roads behind us. We both agreed that we would have desired a different roads. It was the road we had traveled to lead us to where we are. Both my daughter and I are thankful of where we are. Thank you for sharing your road. The photos are gorgeous! Miriam

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  17. This is such a thoughtful and inspiring post, Miriam. I love how you wove such beautiful photos throughout and connected their symbolism with your words. I have definitely experienced several twists and turns, blind corners, dead ends, you name it – all of which I am eternally grateful for, as they eventually bring me to a smooth and straight drive on which I can look out the windows and enjoy the scenery, even if just for a little bit. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. What a great description of life Alayak and I can definitely relate to all you said. It’s good to get to those smooth patches where we can enjoy the scenery, at least, as you said, for a little bit or until we hit the next blind corner! 😊 Take care

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  18. You said everything I was thinking about the roads we take – our choices, how we travel, who we meet along the way. They all shape us into who we are today. Lovely photos … with limited net access I do briefer posts and far less photos so nice to enjoy yours.

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  19. Pingback: The Road Taken: Travel | What's (in) the picture?

  26. Very cool Miriam. Those choices, you are so correct that the universe will come and correct us regardless the choice we make. 😊. Have a great week.

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  30. It’s not surprising Miriam, that when you briefly consider “the road not taken,” you don’t get tangled up in a series of regrets and doubts. Instead, I see as I read this post that these reflections are moments that highlight how amazing your life is, and that you are on a “road” worth taking.

    I wish I could follow this mindset more often.

    As always, love your photos and your message Miriam. Thanks so much!

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    1. No regrets or doubts in my life Gabe, well maybe a few, but on the whole I’m content with the way my life is traveling. I guess it’s about making the most of where we are, at any stage of life. Thanks for your great comment as usual. Have a happy week.

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  32. I wonder how you learn from each aspect of your travels. I am often too busy admiring the beauty that i forget about anything else happening around 🙂
    Once back, my job overwhelms me!

    But agree with you, life provides for a great learning all through.

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    1. I’m much like you Alok. When I’m out and about I’m focused on enjoying where I am. It’s only when I’m home and putting together these pieces that I start to contemplate life. Lots of lessons out there but we don’t always get them at the time. 🙂

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  33. I’ve often wondered ‘what if’ in my life. No matter the fortune or hardship, I wouldn’t want it any other way than the way life has unfolded. It becomes indelibly us. Great post, Miriam!

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  34. Who could not be happy following a road like that? I love your opening photo and then, as we roll down the roads, pure joy emanates from the sky and the trees. 🙂 Enough beauty to last you through the week, Miriam 🙂

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  37. Miriam, when I read your posts I often find similarities in our lives. You think the way I do on many issues. And now, there’s one more! My passion was journalism. I studied it in college and got a degree. It’s what I thought I really wanted to do. But by the time I graduated, I had met and fallen in love with my husband. We wanted to get married. I had a job offer as a reporter in a small market. But I wasn’t willing to go. I wanted to get married. I knew in order to pursue a career in journalism, I needed to move away to a smaller town, smaller market to get experience. I wasn’t willing to do that. So I shifted my priorities. I’m so very glad I did, because we have an amazing life together. And that journalism degree helped in many ways, even though I didn’t become a reporter or television anchor. Life definitely has twists and turns, and things do work out for the best. Thanks for this lovely post, it brought back memories I haven’t thought about in awhile 🙂

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    1. Wow, your comment gave me goosebumps Jenny. Isn’t it amazing how so many of us are living such similar lives. We may be on opposite sides of the world but we have so much in common. Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like we’re both where we’re meant to be. xo

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      1. Yes, we are! So thankful for that 🙂 I know, it amazes me sometimes realizing the similarities I have with those thousands of miles away. That’s one reason I love to blog, the wonderful, beautiful connections! Like ours! xx

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  38. Wow what a beautiful scenic road. I especially love the road sign of animals…we don’t have kangaroos, koalas and what was the bottom animal, I thought maybe a bear but then wondered if it’s something else. We do have bears. As usual such an inspirational post. You are right and if we can just accept “it is what it is” and let it flow, as it is said…the path of least resistance, we find ourselves happier!! The road we’re on is always the right one, sometimes we just don’t realize it til later, why it was the right one. Glad you had a lovely time camping!! Have a marvelous rest of your week!! Big hugs!! 🙂 xo

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    1. Thanks Deb. Hope you have a great week too my friend. That animal on the bottom is a wombat, they’re fat, adorable and slow and they don’t have a great deal of road sense. Unfortunately we see a lot of them lying on their backs on the side of the road. 🙁

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  42. Beautiful photos! You are a natural with a camera. I agree with your sentiments there are many roads for us to choose from. However, if we keep getting hit over and over again, make a turn, it may not be for us. Let it go. The universe has other plans for us.

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  45. Beautiful photos and a wonderful message!! I have some of those forks in the road where life may have been dramatically different, but we make the best choice at the moment 🙂 Mine led me to a husband I likely wouldn’t have met otherwise and three babes growing up to make their way in the world.

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    1. That’s all we can do isn’t it, make the best choice we can in that moment. Sounds like your choices have lead you to where you’re meant to be Amy. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

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  47. Fabulous post as always. I love Black Spur – can be a hairy trip sometimes though. Glad you are happy with the road you have chosen in life. Nothing beats that.

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  48. As always, your blogs fill me with warm fuzzies. I think it’s interesting how you said that your life came around full circle. It’s like the gifts and desires we are bor with don’t leave us. We may choose a different path or degree but eventually what we live shines through! Thank you.

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  49. Hi MIriam– those Black Spur photos!! so green and gorgeous with those towering trees. You really had a wonderful trip… And I know what you mean about wondering about the “what if’s” — there are so many decisions in life. So many directions life can take– I just try to trust God to guide and rest in his care… Thanks for another beautiful post Miriam!! xox

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  50. Your posts are always inspiring 🙂 ❤ You are right. There are so many questions about which path to take. Sometimes you've just got to take one and move along. Else, we would be stuck in the same place.
    Love the pictures as well ❤

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