got lost, found a better way home

Photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Going home from a birthday party at a friend's house, I've decided to take a different route from the one I used going there. I had a city map in the car and normally I'd open it before driving in unfamiliar territory. But feeling adventurous, decided to rely purely on my instincts, thinking that the road I took was just parallel to my earlier route. Maybe a few degrees off, but surely it would lead me to the same main road that will lead me home. It did not. For traversing that long road, the main road I was expecting to see was nowhere in sight. Instead, I ended up in a completely different city altogether.

I passed by familiar roads, but it was puzzling how I ended up here, for I never even knew these cities were connected. Of course, the very wanting street signs of Manila didn't help. When I came to a road that I knew would remotely lead me to where I lived, I stopped at a gas station to finally check my map just to know which direction I should take (and not end up in yet another city).

The map was a bit confusing (even for me), but with the help of the gas station staff who offered help without my asking, I realized I was right. I was a few intersections from home. I was right to take this road, it was just a surprise how I exactly got there.

I felt a deep satisfaction as I parked the car at home. Not only because I got home without so much confusion, but more importantly, this little trip taught me a lesson in faith. It's okay to take an unknown route at times. At least once in your life, you just have to know where you're going and let the open road take you there, even blindly . Without a plan or map, just an instinct that you are in the right direction. It may come as a surprise, but who knows, it may be the easiest route home.