Learning Moments

Sometimes the journey is the destination

Do I take the shortcut or the long way?

The other day, I was biking slowly behind a group of school kids. Part of me wanted to speed up, take the shortcut, get on with the day—the gym, the schedule, the next thing. Another part wanted to stay exactly where I was: behind their unhurried chatter, moving at their pace.

So I stayed. 

And I took the long way — around the buildings, through several crossings and parking lots, before arriving at my destination. I needed that. To land. To sink into a different rhythm before the day gathered speed.

It reminded me of walks along the beach when I didn’t want to arrive anywhere. I simply wanted to keep walking. On and on. To walk until my legs decided for me. 

No destination, only the feeling of moving.

“Sometimes the long way around is the only way to see what really matters.” — Dave Gray

The longing wasn’t to arrive. It was to walk. To empty. To reach the moment when the mind grows quiet and something else takes over. A sense of flow. Stillness. Peace. A return to myself.

Walking gives serendipity a chance — unexpected connections, surprising insights, moments of quiet clarity that cannot be planned.

The shortcut gets you there.
The long way works on you as you go.

When was the last time you consciously chose the long way?
I’d love to hear your long-way moment.

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The bit at the end

Exciting events on the horizon to support your exploration:

• What if the most rebellious thing you could do right now is pause?
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• Curious to experience Street Wisdom for yourself — inspiring, surprising, and quietly powerful? Reach out, and let’s wander with wonder through the streets, alleys, and bridges of Alkmaar or Amsterdam. Learn more about Street Wisdom here.
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Reach out; I’m always open for a chat.
Creatively,
Nadia

P.S.The paintings featured on the blog are my own.