Throw the Map Away

I think the best way to feel the heartbeat of any city is to do it without a map.  Just walk.  Look up.  Wander around and don’t worry about getting lost.  Stop and sit for a while and just watch.  You’ll find your way somewhere.  And if you really need it there will always be help finding your way back home.  As I have been doing just that, I was thinking about how this parallels a good motto of life to live by. 

I think so many times we get caught up in the shoulds and should nots, the supposed to be and the not supposed to be, the so called rules of it all that we completely lose the ability to just be and enjoy the journey, to just slow down and really see and feel the heartbeat of where we are.

Do we not always want to hurry things along?  To get over this hurdle so we can jump over the next one?  Head down in the map always looking for the end.  But when you stop to think about the things you learn along the way, the things you see more clearly because your eyes are wide open and looking up, isn’t it the process that is important and not the end?  So you get to the end slower than the next guy.  Who’s more content at the end?  Who is the richer for it?  Who will look backwards and see the beauty of each moment even when the feet were tired and the soul weary? 

I say the one without the map.