Sometimes the Best Way to Look Forward is to Look Back

I was headed to Grandfather Mountain Country Club to play golf with fellow members of the North Carolina Golf Panel. This time, I decided to take the long way. Golf would have to share the day with a few mountain overlooks.

The Blue Ridge Parkway rewards that decision. It gently meanders along the mountain peaks, offering views that seem to whisper, “Pull over. Stay awhile.” For me, it has always been an oasis for the soul.

Then I reached Raven Rocks Overlook, and nearly twenty years seemed to disappear.

I remembered another journey, at almost this same time of year, when that view first spoke to me. I set up my painting supplies and, over the next few days, captured a scene that has resonated with many collectors and introduced others to this beautiful place.

This time, I stopped again. That familiar landscape offered three reminders.

Take the road that gives you room to notice
We spend so much of life figuring out how to get somewhere faster. The quickest route. The next appointment. There is a place for efficiency, but some of our richest experiences happen when we leave room for an unexpected stop.

Had I hurried straight to the golf course, I would have missed this reunion with an old inspiration. A little extra time gave me a chance to breathe, look around, and let my thoughts settle.

Return to the places that help you measure your journey
All of us have places that hold a chapter of our lives. A childhood home, a college campus, or a favorite beach can bring back the person we were when we first stood there. What were we hoping for? What worried us? What possibilities had yet to unfold?

At that overlook, I thought about the years between my visits and all that had happened along the way. We rarely notice our growth while we are busy living it. A familiar place can help us appreciate how far we have come.

Let gratitude have a moment of its own
Nearly twenty years ago, I came to that overlook to paint. This time, I simply stood in awe. I could enjoy the beauty before me without reaching for a brush.

I felt blessed by the work I have been able to do and the people who have shared the journey. Above all, I was grateful for the extraordinary gift of life and the opportunity to stand there once again.

Perhaps there is a place calling you back, too. 
When the opportunity comes, go a little out of your way. Give yourself time to remember and appreciate. You may arrive looking at a familiar view and leave seeing your life with fresh eyes.