Some wrong turns, turn out right

Have you ever taken a wrong turn while driving? We probably all have. Where did it lead you? Some wrong turns get you to a place where you are more lost than when you started out. You may have said, “Where on earth am I?” Some wrong turns make you feel foolish. I’m sure you’ve caught yourself saying “How did I do such a stupid thing and miss the exit?” Some wrong turns take you into a place of negativity and gloom. Have you ever thought, “Why do bad things always happen to me?” And some wrong turns, turn out to be right.

One Saturday, after a round of golf, I stopped to pick up my Starbucks coffee. Feeling adventurous, I decided to take the scenic route home. Now I have used this route many times. Listening to some jazz on the radio, I got caught up and missed the exit. There was only one way to go; the George Washington bridge and New York City. I didn’t have an option. In fact, to turn around and head back home, would have been frustrating in the traffic. I decided to make the most of it. Living in the New York metropolitan area for ten years, I’d never driven on the Brooklyn Bridge. So, that’s where I headed.

Bridges intrigue me. There is the sense of crossing a great divide. This feeling inside was almost like Christmas. That anticipation of something magical. I couldn’t wait to get there. Nothing else was more important at that moment. There she stood in the distance, a glorious vision of beauty. I knew that my wrong turn was the right turn. This magnificent structure was coming at me instead of the other way around.

Hundreds of people were walking across the bridge. Cars were lined up. And I was part of the movement. As I drove across, I knew this moment was meant to be.

Mistakes happen. Conversations go wrong. Feelings get hurt. Offences occur. Relationships break down. It’s part of life. We can never say never. It’s going to happen. I am a realistic optimist. Every opportunity in life stands at our door. Those wrong turns lead us to the right doors of opportunity and growth. Growing, learning and developing mostly happens when things go wrong. Next time it happens, ask yourself the question; “How has this wrong turn, turned out right?” Lead by example before you give advice to anyone else. #leadership

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