Life's Detours

By: Amy Leigh Sazama

Life is so bewildering and confusing sometimes. There are so many different routes one can take, and yet somehow, we have to figure out our own way in this perplexing, over-stimulating world and trust our own choices. This is probably why I prefer shopping at Aldi and Trader Joe’s (with five aisles tops) over Pick n Save (with at least ten). Too many options, so many choices. In life, most make choices by turning to either signs, a higher power, or by trusting our gut! Some might do all three at once, and some might even do research when making a hard choice. I have to say though, most of the time my “always leading with my heart” type of personality doesn’t embrace that kind of logic.

1. SIGNS

I named my daughter, Penelope, because of a sign…. literally. I narrowed down the old “favorite baby names” list to around three with Penelope (Penny for short) being in the “Top 3” running. I hadn’t made up my mind just yet, and then someone messaged me one day letting me know about a local floral shop that was giving away a free bouquet of flowers to anyone named “Amy”. Of course, I went and got my free flowers (I don’t turn down free flowers -or many free things for that matter). Then- while I was walking around town on a beautiful- sunny day afterwards, I landed right in the middle of a bridge named “Penny’s Bridge” followed by the words “Established in 2018”. It was perfect- since technically my daughter was also established in 2018! So, I did what any other expecting (very pregnant) mother would do- I took the sign and decided to run with it. Right then and there I picked her name. Penelope it would be, and I never looked back!

I have to say I’m always looking for signs out in the world! You know, the kind when you’re waiting for things to line up just right- and then they do! Like when you’re missing a loved one and just then a song comes on the radio that reminds you of them. Or when you’re thinking of someone from your past, and then you bump into them during your next grocery store excursion. Or when you’re looking for a new opportunity, and your best friend reaches out to you the next day and says she has an opportunity that you would be perfect for! Matthew McConaughey calls these signs “Green Lights”, and ever since reading his memoir- I now hear his deep, smooth, Texan voice in my head while coming across them. “Green Light!”, I can’t help but think to myself every time I see an obvious sign.  Some people don’t believe in them, but I say all you have to do is look!

2. GUT INSTINCTS

You know when a dog starts barking at someone for no apparent reason, and it turns out the person they’re barking at is actually an asshole. That’s a gut instinct (I swear dogs have a sixth sense and see life forms we can’t see). Or when you meet a new person, and for whatever reason you feel uneasy around them. You can’t figure out why, but their energy seems off. Or you’re offered a new job, and you have to turn it down because it doesn’t feel right. Maybe it seems too good to be true, or there’s just something you can’t quite put your finger on. Or you can tell something is wrong with a friend or family member, but they never actually told you. You just know. It’s just a visceral reaction based on a strong feeling that you can’t ignore. I trust my gut instinct a lot. As a yoga teacher, I believe we should always be listening to our bodies! There’s also a known strong connection between the mind and body that shouldn’t be ignored (the mind/gut connection is also very real). So, if a sign doesn’t come through for me, I go with my gut!

Along with that you should always trust your gut on when to leave something or take a detour when something or someone is no longer serving you. You know in college when you were out at the bar, and “Piano Man” came through the speakers just as the lights turned up at bar time- and you knew you stayed a little too long (hence someone no longer serving you - only figuratively this time). Knowing when to leave a place or take a detour in life is a skill! I recently had to listen to this instinct and change course. I didn’t ignore it, and I’ve gotten to the point in life where I trust and listen to myself without much after thought. When you don’t see an obvious sign, always go with your gut!

3. HIGHER POWER

Most of us believe in a higher power. A God. A Divine being. Something or someone bigger than ourselves. A place to turn to when we can’t find the answers. A place to help guide us to answers. A safe place to land when things don’t make sense. A comfort. A place to rest. A solace. We all have our own beliefs, but I definitely believe in the divine. I believe in leaning on a higher power when we need.

I've learned detours in life can be a good thing! In fact, it's better to take a detour than to stay somewhere that's not serving your highest self. So don’t be afraid to take a detour every once and a while. Don’t be afraid to turn back around and head down another path. When things aren’t going how you planned, they simply don’t feel right, or your head and heart aren’t matching up- just look around you or within and you'll probably find out exactly where to go next!