Tilt #52 - Progress is not always a straight line

For all of my childhood into my late teens, I was taught and it was reinforced that life was a series of straight lines. Specifically, these lines always went from bottom to top with no deviances. This was how one achieves success, constantly moving upwards on an invisible staircase all humans were supposed to climb. I do not know if this was a cultural thing or just particular to my family. These linear ways of thinking were evident at home, in school, and in my community.

Now looking back, I wonder how I would have turned out if some squiggly lines had been allowed or even appreciated in my journey into adulthood. If life was more of a road trip that had various pit stops and scenic stops to smell the proverbial roses, then what? If failures could be seen as stepping stones instead of dead weights, how would that have helped me control perfectionism? I wonder how my self-esteem would have grown...

If I knew then what I know now, I would have chosen to include the scenic route as well as the straight highway. I would have intentionally chosen to stop at as many photo op viewpoints as possible. I would have planned for more pit stops to enjoy the diners, drive-ins, and dives à la Guy Fieri of the Food Network. I would have shown myself more compassion for my squiggly lines.

So many regrets but there's more life to live. I continue to unlearn things that do not add value to me or my circle. May the squiggly lines of your journey and mine be celebrated because when you take a wider look at things, they do bring beauty to our life tapestries.