We are going on a trip, my family and me. We are driving to Sea World with our two young children, our two older dogs, and my husband’s parents and grandma. The drive is going to take hours and I must admit that I’m very nervous about the potential meltdowns we might encounter on the road between two kids under three years old. I once was on a drive home with my eight-month-old niece and while she had always done great on car rides, this one proved to be the exception with her screaming and crying nonstop for the last hour of our two-hour drive. It was rough. Both my sister and I were numb by the time we reached our destination.
More than once, I almost told my husband that we shouldn’t take the trip. It’s too early for them to travel, I want to say. They might not sleep well in a new environment. The dogs might not do well in a new place. The kids might get fussy and be ready to leave Sea World far before we are ready to leave. They might get too hot. It might be too crowded. They might not nap with all the excitement of the park.
All of those things are likely true. But all of those problems are workable problems. And all of those worries are just worries.
On the flip side, the kids might love looking at the animals and be fascinated by all the people in the park. They might sleep well because they will have long and active days on the trip. The dogs will probably do just fine as long as they have their comfy beds and get their morning walk.
Plus, the most important reason we are going is to spend quality time together as a family. My husband never too trips like this as a child and he is excited to have the opportunity to do this with his kids and his parents. We want to create memories that will last forever. Of course our kids are too young to remember this trip when they grow up, but we will remember and my in-laws will remember.
This feels like a reflection of the journeys in life that we all take. We are certain to encounter issues. We are certain to face some difficulties. But that shouldn’t deter us from venturing out and doing things that will reap beautiful rewards. We shouldn’t choose the easier path just because it is easier. This trip is going to require a lot more work for us than any normal weekend does.
We are all faced with choices about what kind of life we want. Should we take the safe job that will provide a secure income or should we apply for that overseas teaching job that we are both excited and terrified to get? Should we stay in the eight-year relationship we’ve been comfortable in or should we break it off because we know deep down that it isn’t where we should be?
Doing the riskier thing because it is risky and exciting and adventurous is not what I’m arguing for here. Certainly, there are times when we need to avoid risk and take the path well-traveled. But in matters of the heart and soul, in matters of growing the self, we need to be willing to challenge ourselves. And that often involves taking risks.
The moments we remember the most were often full of hardship and frustration. When we come out the other side of a difficult time knowing that we charged forward despite our fears and despite the risks, those are the sweetest moments.
