A turtle never abandons its carriage.
Timing Is Everything
We’ve all heard it said: timing is everything. As we navigate through life, each of us on our own journey, there are moments when we question whether we’re on the right path. Reflecting on my past, I can now clearly see the times when I veered off course. Sometimes, it was an unexpected storm—a white squall—that forced me to change direction. Other times, it was my own failure to trust my gut (which, by the way, I believe is God speaking to us), leading to decisions that steered me away from where I was meant to go. But with each misstep came a lesson. I learned to plan for the storms, to trust my instincts, and to focus on creating a path that leads to true happiness.
Over the years, I’ve had countless encounters with different people, each of them on their own path, too. One piece of advice I’ve consistently shared with my boys is this: “The easy road is the hardest road you will ever choose.” I’m not sure if they fully grasp this yet, but it’s a truth I’ve seen play out time and again. Most people, myself included at times, want the fast fix, the easy answer. When quick results aren’t forthcoming, it often leads to self-doubt, misplaced anger, or worse—unfortunate endings. We live in a world of fast food and instant gratification, but here’s the deal: to truly achieve what you seek, you must put in the effort. You have to be willing to take the longer, more challenging road to arrive at your desired destination.
Then came the turtle.
After four days of heavy rain, I was driving down the road, knowing the local wildlife would be in a scramble due to flooded ponds and woods. It’s not uncommon to see a turtle crossing the road, rain or shine. As I turned onto my neighborhood street, there it was—a turtle smack in the middle of the road, head stretched fully out of its shell, moving at a pace only a turtle can. But it was moving, and with a sense of determination.
I slowed down, contemplating whether I should stop and help this little guy get to the other side. But before I could act, another thought struck me: God. We are all God’s creatures, each of us set on a path. That turtle was moving forward, trusting its gut (or shell), unafraid of being crushed by a car or hurried along by an eager passerby. The turtle was moving forward in faith.
And then, it hit me. Patience. I am on a new journey, one that comes with a remarkable sense of calm. I’m moving forward into the unknown, but this time, I feel more confident than ever. Could I be crushed? Absolutely. But I’ve been crushed before, and I survived. So now, I move forward without fear. For once, I’m taking my time. I don’t need to win the race. I’ve won races before. I’ve been ‘first.’ But ‘first’ fades fast.
It’s time to park my ego and savor the slow, steady process of this journey. My head is stretched out, and I’m looking down the path with determination, but this time, I’m moving at a sure and steady pace. Just like the turtle. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll pause to smell the roses along the way.
So, here’s my advice: stop and smell your roses along the way. Enjoy life because if you don’t, it can slip by in the blink of an eye. When you finally reach your destination, you may find yourself wishing you had taken the time to set your pace, enjoy the journey, and truly savor the beauty around you.
The Dish by Deni 