December 19, 2024

Sometimes life gives us more than we planned. Sometimes it gives us exactly what we need.

A few weeks ago, I set out on a road trip to visit my daughter and grandson. I’ve driven that route on I-25 many times, but this time… it was different. What unfolded over 12 hours was nothing short of a shamanic journey – a day filled with unexpected detours, stormy weather, and moments that made me pause and reflect on life’s deeper lessons.

I didn’t know it at the time, but this drive was about so much more than getting from Point A to Point B.

A Hawk, a Crack, and a Message

The journey began with a thud.

Just outside of Santa Fe, a hawk hit my car. At first, I thought it might have been an owl, but the feathers on my bumper told me otherwise. I pulled over, cleaned off the feathers and the mess, and kept driving – shaken but safe.

Later, when I had time to look it up, I discovered this: when a hawk crosses your path, it’s a sign that you’re on the right spiritual journey.

It was as if life was saying, “Keep going, Louise. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

The Snowstorm and the Road Closed Sign

The first leg of the trip was smooth, but the way back was another story.

What should have been a 6-hour drive turned into 12. A snowstorm rolled in as I left Denver, and by the time I reached Trinidad, the highway – I-25 – was closed.

There were trucks everywhere, parked on the sides of the road. Drivers were lost. The gas station was packed. And I had to make a choice: turn back or find another way forward.

Life often presents us with “road closed” signs, doesn’t it? A sudden setback, a plan falling apart, or a big decision we didn’t see coming. It’s frustrating. It can feel unfair.

But in those moments, we’re being redirected.

My family helped me chart a new path through a mountain pass toward Taos. It wasn’t easy. It was snowing. It was dark. But I kept going, trusting that I was being guided and protected.

A Trip Through Memory Lane

As I drove through La Veta Pass and into New Mexico, the snow cleared, and the most beautiful sunset broke through the clouds. It felt like a gift – a small miracle in the midst of the detours.

The route took me through Questa, a little town where my family lived years ago when I was battling illness. I passed the gas stations, the schoolyard, the familiar roads, and I couldn’t help but reflect on how far I’ve come.

Life has a way of showing us how much we’ve grown when we take a moment to look back.

What This Journey Taught Me

As I finally made it home – 12 hours later – I realized this entire experience wasn’t just about bad weather or closed highways. It was a spiritual lesson.

Detours are divine redirections. If you’re being rerouted, trust that you’re being guided to something better.
Timing is everything. Even when it doesn’t make sense, things are happening exactly when they’re meant to.
Pause and reflect. Life will give you little (or big!) opportunities to slow down, reassess, and appreciate where you are.
You are protected. Even when the path is unclear, know that you’re being watched over.

How to Trust Life’s Detours

If you’re in a season of delays, unexpected changes, or challenges, I want to encourage you: you are not alone.

Here are a few simple ways to find peace and trust life’s timing:

Pause and breathe. Take a moment to step back. What is this detour showing you?
Journal. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and observations. Patterns will often reveal themselves when we reflect.
Focus on gratitude. Even in the chaos, there’s always something to be grateful for. Look for those moments.
Let go. Release what’s no longer serving you and allow space for something new to come in.