It felt good to get back on the bike again today. The past three or four days, I’ve kept the mileage down to a few hundred miles a day. I got back into the groove a little today with just under 300 miles (475 kms). I left Navato, CA and headed to Stockton to visit with a twitter friend who is doing some very creative things to connect with people in Sacramento. Dave and I have chatted many times online, and it was great to meet him face to face.
From there, I headed south east to Yosemite National Park. I’m amazed that I was going to bypass the park before being convinced that I needed to take the time to ride through it. Like the Grand Canyon, I was in awe as I came around each corner. It was absolutely beautiful to see. I really am jealous of you western bikers. You have so much you can enjoy on your bikes. The scenery is beyond words.
I’ve been thinking about something for a few days now. It hit me around day five of the ride, and from time to time, my thoughts go back to it. I think it’s time to share it with the rest of you.
I have a Harley picture frame at home. Along with a place for you to put a picture, it has the saying, “It’s the journey, not the destination.” It’s a saying I’ve seen on a few bike related things.
I know what they’re trying to get at with the saying. Too many people never take the time to enjoy the journey they are on. Rather than stop and check out the scenery, they push ahead, running this race called life, without ever taking the time to enjoy the moments in life. I get it, and certainly don’t disagree with the thought.
However, I’m not sure life is supposed to be an “either/or” attitude when it comes to the journey vs. the destination. I’ve met people who focus exclusively on the journey without ever thinking about the destination, and it’s not much better than those who never enjoy the journey. These people rush from one thing to the next, living life aimlessly. Never having a focus — a purpose.
I think life should be about both the journey and the destination. Set goals, determine where you want to be in life, but then also take time to enjoy the journey of getting to that place.
Do you set goals for your life? Where you want to be in a year, five years, even ten years? Having a goal can help us from simply living aimlessly. Going from day to day without any hope of change.
But don’t get so preoccupied with the goal that you don’t have time for the journey.
Now, how does all this relate to my road trip? I’m glad you asked. Today is a perfect example. My goal right now is to reach Las Vegas by Tuesday evening. I’m meeting a guy for supper and so that is my destination. Originally, I was going to travel the quickest path to Vegas. I was going to push through today and tomorrow, and not focus on the journey at all. Had I done that, I would have missed a glorious part of the journey — Yosemite Park.
However, if I hadn’t determined my destination — Vegas — I may have enjoyed part of the journey today, but as I sit here at the end of the evening, I wouldn’t know where I was in the grander scheme of the trip. Did I go East? West?
So, don’t make life about the journey vs. the destination. Make it about both. Take one part of your life and set a goal — a destination. Plot out the path you will take to achieve that goal. Now, enjoy the journey as you work to achieve your goal.
