Where is my roadmap?

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Where is my roadmap?  Or, I guess I should ask where is my GPS?

I could use Google Maps or MapQuest, Bing Maps or one of the many device app maps that are available to me.

At times, I ask where is my map?

My generation and generations before me used the Rand McNally paper maps when we traveled.  I guess these paper maps are now obsolete; but one can still receive them from their website.  If you are interested in a US Map, State Map, Regional Map or any other map, check out Rand McNally’s website – RAND MCCALLY STORE

Recently I was thinking about needing a map for life or maybe the correct word is roadmap.  For me there are times in my life I thought I needed a map of sorts – something to help me along the way – something to assist me in finding my destination.

Through my life there have been side destinations that were reached or short visits until I was ready to move again to the final destination.  That final destination I am referring to is death.

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Image Provided by: Oxford Poetry Election

Death the final destination has been on my mind for all my life and the road to it at times very rough.  I need a map to help me and at times it was made available to me in some form.

There is really no map available to us that explains where to go, what turns to make and when we should come to a complete stop before moving again.  Yes, I know there are religious texts, self-help books and other printed media that can help us, provide advice, and steer us to a better life.

I ask sometimes, what good is a map going to do for me?  It cannot foresee all that is ahead of me on the road; the obstacles, the accidents and the hazards and yes, the detours.

Many times I have driven without a map and just drove being careful along the way and making my way down this road of life.  I have made many mistakes; taken several wrong turns and made bad decisions that took me down roads that were dark and filled with unknowns.

Help and support signpost

Image Provided by: edlab.nl

I ask that those mistakes, wrong turns and bad decisions not be used against me once the final destination is reached.  Today and most likely tomorrow I will continue to make some bad decisions and make some wrong turns and again the road at times will seem long.

There is no Rand McNally Map, GPS or device app, no roadmap or book that explains where to go and what turns to make; just manuals to guide us along the way.

45 thoughts on “Where is my roadmap?”

  1. Lovely post. Hope you are recovering well. I try to not look back too often at crossroads in my life but there are a few I wonder “What if???” but then look around me and think I wouldn’t be here with the people I love.

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  2. Just take it a day at a time Terry! Sometimes it might even be hour by hour or moment by moment, and life my throw in some twists and turns and go off your intended route, but if you go with it and cherish each moment, it may just end up being the perfect journey. 🙂

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  3. So very true Terry! There is no way to know, no map! My mom used to sit out on the porch with her map and show us where we would be going on vacations! She talked about the towns, the motels etc. But as you said life is just not like that. Hope you are recovering well xxx

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  5. Well, if you have my GPS, it actually tells you when there is congestion, an accident or a faster route. LOL
    If I had been blessed with a Rand McNally map or a GPS that would have indicated my lifes’ obstacles, wrecks and wrong turns, I would be in an entirely different world.
    Sometimes, though…you just have to fly by the seat of your pants. I’ve done that a few times and ended up a thousand miles from where I was going….which was just two miles up the road.
    Sure, you’ll make wrong turns now and then…but when you finally get back on the right road….isn’t it glorious?
    I hope you are well. Hugs to you and Gary.

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    • No problems being away Gary, life gets busy and thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I am behind on reading posts for the past couple of weeks and it is taking me awhile to catch-up. I intended to comment on one of your posts about your upcoming marriage – but was having technological issues with the comment. Congrats, and hope you have a wonderful weekend. 🙂

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  7. Believe, Don’t Give Up!

    For every downhill battle, there will be an uphill victory.

    For every backward tread, there will be a forward initiative.

    For every letdown, there will be contentment.

    For every tear, there will be a smile.

    Sometimes what seems to be the end, could be just a beginning.

    Life is full of endless detours and turnarounds

    Giving up is not an option. Never was, never will be.

    “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle”. Albert Einstein.

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  8. Believe, Don’t Give Up!
    For every downhill battle, there will be an uphill victory.
    For every backward tread, there will be a forward initiative.
    For every letdown, there will be contentment.
    For every tear, there will be a smile.
    Sometimes what seems to be the end, could be just a beginning.
    Life is full of endless detours and turnarounds
    Giving up is not an option. Never was, never will be.
    “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle”. Albert Einstein.

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  9. My dear Terry, scary as it is, we are all the map-makers of our lives rather than map-readers. You are travelling a challenging landscape right now, but I know you will persevere and soon find a vantage point to look back on and say “I did that.” And we’ll all be here cheering for you. Kia Kaha my friend.

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  10. This is a thought-provoking post.

    If there was a roadmap to life, would I want to have it? I don’t think so – sometimes those wrong turns have been well worth it for what I learned, and who knows if taking a side trip actually put me on the better road to the final destination at some point. It may not be the most direct route, but I’m not in a hurry to get there, so even those turns that seem boring and mundane aren’t ones I should take for granted!

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  11. So well said, Terry, no roadmap for one’s life. I was thinking about those AAA triptik things…where they show all the detours, road construction, pitfalls, etc. and all the hotels/restaurants along the way…we used those to cross the US…twice ! Nice piece.

    And for me, the paper map is still the best. I know so many who have gotten lost using GPS.

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  12. I love paper maps. Used to do a lot of work with Australia’s national mapping organisation. Even they couldn’t come up with a roadmap for life, so I guess we just have to keep winging it. Thinking of you, and sending hugs and spoons.

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  13. We used a Rand-McNally atlas (paper) on our travels across the US of A for six months in 1993, what would we have done without it?? No GPS back then of course. And here you are, with no GPS but guess what Terry, you have AMAZING friends to help guide you through the missed and wrong turns and won’t even skip a beat if you do! I hope you are having a wonderful day, my friend. xoxo

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  14. I truly believe that there is no judgment at the end Terry. Its such a medieval way of thinking! Live each day as well as you can. Let go of anger and resentment and focus on gratitude for the good things – big and small. Love will guide you along the path 💛

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  15. I can definitely relate to this. Many many times in my life I have wanted that road map to steer me in the right direction, having been so tired of the mistakes, bad decisions and hurt caused. I guess the road map is us, our life, and I guess we are meant to make the wrong turns, in order to finally get to our right destination.
    Have a restful day my friend. 🙂 x

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  19. Great post, Terry! There are many wrong-turns in all our lives but without them we wouldn’t be who we now are, and I actually would be afraid to find a map that´s showing me where my life is headed. I think it´s better to drive around the corner wondering what might come next 😉 Have a happy weekend! xxx

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