Just a few days ago, on December 27, I found myself reliving a pivotal moment from my past, but this time from a completely different perspective. Driving through an atmospheric river on Highway 101, accompanied by my husband and dog, we were heading to a secret trail on the North Sonoma Coast. What happened next reminded me of the power of choices and the unexpected turns life can take.
The rain was relentless, blurring the world into a cascade of water and fog. The rain splash from trucks was heavy in the three right lanes, so I navigated to the fast lane where there was less traffic and spray. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a large dark car emerge from the rain curtain cutting across all lanes, heading straight for us. In a heart-stopping moment, the driver swerved at the last second, narrowly missing us, and careened back across the freeway. The car hit a side berm and flew up and then crashed down rolling over multiple times. This scene was hauntingly familiar. This was the mirror of the car accident I had survived 35 years ago.
Small Choices, Big Future
In that earlier accident, I was trapped inside the car, hanging upside down, teetering on the brink of life and death. It was then that I saw a vision of my future self – calm, confident, and in control. That vision became a vow to change my life. Fast forward to the present, and I was witnessing a similar accident from the outside, realizing I had become that woman I once envisioned.
This experience reaffirmed my belief that we are the sum of our choices. The small decisions we make every day shape who we become. On that rainy day, when confronted with a potentially life-altering moment, I chose calm. Instead of swerving or turning back, I immediately reported the accident to 911, hoping for the safety of everyone involved.
After making the call, we continued on our journey. Two hours later, we found ourselves immersed in the beauty of the coastal redwood forest, surrounded by giant ferns and the soothing sounds of the rain-soaked woods. As we walked, we reflected on the resilience we’ve cultivated over the years and how that works.
One Path to Consider
As you cross the threshold of a new year, why not reflect on the sum of the small choices you have made and the paths they have led you down. Are you making decisions that your future self will thank you for? Are you consciously shaping your path with the choices you make each day? Remember, the power of managing change lies in the small, daily decisions we make, each one contributing to the fabric of our lives.
I’ve taken these life-learned lessons and poured them into my book, ‘Wayfinder: 7 Simple Ways to Navigate Change and Live Without Regrets’. This book is a deep exploration of empowering oneself through intentional choices and perspectives. It features 7 Key Perspectives that I have carefully selected to guide your choices as you navigate through life’s challenges, helping you find fulfillment even in the most unexpected places. Designed for everyone facing significant changes, whether it’s a shift in identity, coping with loss, a decision to take charge of one’s health, or pursuing personal growth, “Wayfinder” offers practical tools and strategies to embrace these transitions with strength, clarity, and yes — joy.