“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” - Mahatma Ghandi
As I was driving to work the other day, the phrase “stay in your own lane” came to me. I noticed that when I am in a hurry, I change lanes, trying to shimmy my way through traffic to get to where I am going faster. What I also noticed was that changing lanes is stressful. It can be distracting, even dangerous. When you change lanes, you run the risk of a potential accident, especially when there are multiple lanes. Does changing lanes really get me to where I want to go quicker? Perhaps it does, but I suspect not by much. Stay in your own lane typically is used as an admonishment, a kind of pejorative advice. I've been thinking about it in another way, as a useful metaphor for life and creativity.
There is a feeling of relaxation that comes when we go with the flow of life. When we stop swerving to chase the next shiny object or opportunity, we find a focused momentum and easeful grace. It's easy to glance sideways, the distractions are in front of us at every turn. We question our choices, wondering if we are on the right road, wherever we may be headed. What if the real wisdom lies in deepening rather than diverting? Refining rather than rushing.To stay in your lane doesn't mean to stay stagnant. It is not about limitation, it's about alignment. You can stay in your lane and still meander, like a leisurely Sunday drive. You can listen to your intuition and take an intentional detour. To stay in your lane is a practice of listening to what calls to us quietly rather than being distracted by noisy traffic of the world.
In a world that celebrates speed, there is something potent and powerful about being able to slow down and stay in our lane. We cultivate a personal point of view, a deeply intentional way of being. When we stay in our line, we let the magic unfold before us. We keep our eye on the road, but allow the horizon to be our guide.
What would it feel like to trust your own pace? To stay in the lane that is meant uniquely and exquisitely just for you.
Slow down and enjoy the ride.
x Alisa