You're Going The Wrong Way

by Michele Boy | February 2, 2023

In the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Steve Martin and John Candy are driving down the highway late at night. Everything seems fine until someone across the median honks and yells at them “You’re going the wrong way.” Not just once but multiple times. 
Did they heed that warning? No, they waved them off as crazy. 
They persisted, “YOU’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!” 
It continues on. It is only when Martin and Candy see headlights from two semi’s barreling at them that they realize it’s true. They are going the wrong way. 
  I thought about that moment for a minute  because while I was sick, my food choices were terrible. They were so unhealthy it was hurting my body. I kind of knew it but didn’t care. I was just trying to make it through. 
In truth it was making me worse. There were signs and then more signs. Monday night my decisions were crystal clear. My body was screaming at me. You’re going the wrong way. Why does it take so long to pay attention to that voice?
It’s not just in dietary choices, it’s in a lot things. 
  Maybe it’s work for you, or relationships.
Our body gives us signs, signals, sometimes those signals come body aches and pains, lethargy, depression. Sometimes the signs come from loved ones like my sweet, gentle husband trying to point out to me what wasn’t working. And no I didn’t listen right away. Surprised? LOL. 
I guess I am grateful we get signs like this over and over again until we get the message. 
So here I am starting over again. It can be frustrating and I can get down on myself.  How did I get here again? 
For now everything is a little harder. And I have to slow down and make more deliberate choices. But, it’s better to turn around now than continuing down the wrong path. 
Maybe there is some sign, some person telling you, “many people” telling you you’re going the wrong way. Admitting it is the first step. Once I admitted it to myself I suddenly felt the weight of my choices. It was uncomfortable but imagine digging through a pile of sand pushing and pushing, getting more tired, only to find out you weren’t supposed to be pushing that pile all along? Defeat is not easy to admit to myself. 
Of course if I was pushing that pile of sand on a beach in the warm sunshine near the water I may enjoy it more. 
The negative temperatures didn’t help my mood either. 
But it makes me appreciate the warmth of summer. And we got moisture. 
So if you don’t need this message I am happy for you! But it was pretty clear to me I needed to hear it. 
  I saw a John Maxwell quote that said the difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure. So I guess everyone fails. I wonder why it’s so hard to admit sometimes. And maybe instead of beating myself up I can now yell to myself, “You’re going the right way!” 
 Have a great week.