thirty four

MISSING A TURN

Missing turns is part of the adventure. I can be a real hot head and lose patience when things go wrong. I haven't been visibly angry or in a fist fight for years. This was far too common in my youth. I guess there are things to get angry about but missing a turn isn't one of them. 

Touring has taught me some valuable lessons. I learned I have a choice to do things with or without anger.  One approach is to stuff it deep down inside and try not to act on it. This is the usual male approach I have successfully used this for years. 

The problem with this technique over time it eats at you from that  place deep inside. 

I have learned to do a new and wonderful thing with my anger. I look past it to find what I am missing. Here’s an example: I ride alone and navigate through strange new places by the use of a map. Along the way I miss a turn. First I get angry with the faulty map, then I find fault with the missing sign, then I find fault with the idiot that can't read a map or see a sign. I then realize I was the blind idiot. 

My natural reaction is too stayed angry with myself for the remainder of the day. Recently I’ve learned to get things in proper perspective. I choose to say out loud, “Well, I’ve never been here before”, then I start looking around as if I’ve planned this adventure. Its strange how I always find something I would have missed, like this beautiful lake in Maine.