Changing Directions

Shelby, not even three months old

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Shelby, our elderly Golden Retriever, got bored before we did.

We’ve taken the same walk every Saturday for the past few months. It’s a lovely walk, but until we changed directions, we had no idea what we’d been missing.

Yesterday I said to Bob, “Let’s start where we usually finish and see if going the other way perks Shelby up.

By reversing our route, an island in the water we'd never noticed before suddenly came into view. And there was a lot more water than we realized. I don’t know if Shelby noticed the water, but she was definitely more engaged in sniffing the plants along the path. There was a noticeable prance and energy in her steps throughout the whole walk.

This change of direction was about more than walking the same path a different way. It reminded me how doing something new, even along a familiar road, can open our perspective and reveal what we’ve failed to notice.

It could be ourselves.

It could be something we didn’t realize we wanted.

It could be anything our imaginations can create.

I know this new direction opened something in me. I found myself looking ahead, at the foliage and the water, instead of staring at the movement of my feet along the path. I started thinking about trips I still want to take, new ideas I want to explore, and maybe even a few new sniffs of my own.

What might you notice if you changed direction, even on a road you think you already know?

Yesterday, changing direction opened the walk.

Today, Shelby had another idea.

She decided to stay in the car.

Song: “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” by Jimmy Buffett

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This adventure called life is truly remarkable. I’m glad you’re here, joining me as I continue exploring what I’ve learned and am learning about living a life that makes sense, has joy even on the hardest days, and gratitude because it’s so clear everything and everyone in our lives is a gift not to be squandered. If you’re a subscriber, whether paid or not, thank you. If you haven’t subscribed yet, hit the button and join me. Please consider upgrading to paid if at all possible. Your support allows me to continue writing The Other Side of Young. Thank you.