I often remark to myself about how similar our lives are to the very systems we set up.
Like cars speeding on the highway, we seem to head in similar directions but often end up at different destinations
Now, before you contend the fact that we head in similar directions, stop and think for a moment.
Yes, stop right there in the middle of that highway and ponder about a couple of things. Namely: your life, and the lives of others.
What does everyone want? To fulfill one dream or another, to find or discover something, to have more or less of something, to change the state of a situation, thing, or idea. Even a person. How do we get to where we want to go?
Now that’s where the cars speeding on a highway analogy comes in.
Some of us decide that we cannot possibly get there with other people tagging along. So instead, we decide to work all day and all night, to buy that “multi-turbo” car with the fastest technology – as must be evident, I know next to nothing about cars.
So, for those of us who know next to nothing about cars, we do one of three main things – we teach ourselves, get others to teach us, and/or get others to drive us. Basically we open ourselves up to the fact that we probably know next to nothing about anything and that there must be some way of equipping ourselves with the knowledge or skills to get where we want to go. So we carpool, go to driving school, or like me, take the bus, train or taxi.
On the other extreme are those of us who would rather not fet into the nitty-gritty, long hours stuck on a highway heading to some general destination. We would rather watch the traffic report and see other cars speeding (or trailing) on the highway of life. Alternatively, we get on the highway, get to the first couple of toll stops or port holes, and we pull off to the side, or worse, turn back.
Whether you’re a car person or not, you are on your own highway – your life. You might overfill the tank occasionally, or forget to do so. You may encounter a number of accidents along the way, or be the cause of a couple. You might get lost along the way, or decide to take a chance and explore some strange route. Or you might decide to remain content in watching other cars speed past while you dream up your own car.
Whatever you choose, just remember to occasionally stop. Yes, stop right there in the middle of the highway and take it all in. The journey is just as important as the destination. Some might argue, even more so when you’re in transit.
Jemila Abdulai is the creative director, editor and founder of the award-winning website Circumspecte.com. A media and international development professional and economist by training, she combines her business, communications and project management expertise with her strong passion for Africa. Besides writing and reading, she enjoys travel, global cuisine, movies, and good design.