It doesn't matter how much I schedule and plan and stress, I realize I am never fully in control of my calendar. I try to follow lists and get things done. I try to set meetings, deadlines and goals, but it seems life prefers chaos and I'm always trying to catch up.
Even when I know there will be slight inconveniences and I try to accommodate the changes I can find myself waiting and wishing and sometimes even wondering if I should have just stayed home.
This week I had a meeting in Lloydminster, I hadn't been to one in years and was actually looking forward to it. I had heard there would be delays because of an accident at the overpass and I gave myself a bit of extra time. I wasn't really prepared to sit and wait and take an extra 35 minutes, but I tried to be patient and hoped the people at the meeting would understand and be sympathetic to my tardiness.
It was still daylight when I entered Lloydminster and traffic was heavy as vehicles followed the detour. In my mind I tried to figure out if there would have been a better way to get into the city.
The community lies on a busy highway and, with its main road blocked, I knew it would take longer, I just didn't think I would be delayed for quite as long.
I wondered if I should try to follow a different path home and as I left the city after dark I was guided by a large number of people in reflective clothing waving light wands at every turn of the detour. Traffic had quieted considerably and I followed the twists and turns back to the highway relieved when I was back on my normal route.
I lost less than an hour of my day while the people on the road pushed aside their plans and spent hours keeping the traffic safely moving. I'm sure none of them woke up, looked at their calendar and thought they'd like to spend the day or night on a cold road.
I was probably still feeling the pumpkin pie-induced gratitude buzz of the long weekend and tried to yell 'thanks' to the traffic directors who probably faced more frustrated than grateful drivers.
I'm grateful I don't live a life of constant commuting across a large city where people face delays on a daily basis. I think the odd traffic detour probably helps me to be more patient and I appreciate that some of the unexpected schedule changers are delightful surprises.
