Life is surely full of curves, don’t you think?

“The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn.” – Anon

What we do when faced with a curve will determine its impact on our life. The curve doesn’t define us, but how we handle it will.

Let’s get symbolic about curves

If we examine our paths in life in relation to that of a vine, we’d see that they’re not that different. Vines consistently face unexpected curves. Does this stop them from growing?

From up close, a vine has quite an erratic path that seems to lead nowhere. But when we step back and take a broader look, we’d see widespread growth patterns and rich displays of greenery. Each bend, each tangle, and each stunted growth point actually appear to have a purpose that, on a deep level, shapes its life.

Just like vines, we’re all shaped by what we encounter along the way, by life’s unexpected and defining curves — ours, of course, in the form of relationships, challenges, experiences, and triumphs. We’re all so connected. Much like the way the path of a vine crosses other vines along its trek up the side of a house, our lives also intersect to form critical connections with others along our journeys.

Defining curves and change

The unexpected curves and straight-lined paths propel us to change; change that may reward us with rich, new experiences.

We may not understand the immediate reason that our paths sometimes seem erratic and illogical with all their twists and turns. But each one has a purpose that supports who we become as we grow.

A vine may seem unyielding and without pattern, but it is really purposely developing stronger connections to help it withstand the pressures that occur around it. I believe this to be true of us, too.

Strength

We draw on each others’ strength to help us get to where we are going so that we can experience the parts of life that bring us the most satisfaction. The interactions in our crossing vines allow us to experience and share the gift of life and all it has to offer.

Life offers many paths to get to where we want to go. And along these paths we meet people, some who obstruct our goals, some who stand by and let us walk right past, and others who carry us through the tough zones along the way.

In my lifetime, some of the most influential people have been those who I met seemingly by mistake or slim chances.

A random, unscheduled stop over along the road of life was where I met some of the most pivotal people in my life who have shaped me into the person I am today. 

Just like a vine, be flexible to the defining curves encountered, for they may take us places we never dreamed possible.

And speaking of curves….

“Thank God for curves in the road,” Haley said.
“Yeah, I’d consider this curve a good one.”
“I’ve never come across a curve I didn’t like.”
Under the soothing caress of her admission, I softened. “I suspect you haven’t.”

An excerpt from The Fiche Room

Over to you. What are your thoughts on life’s defining curves?