Control is the number one struggle I encounter in life. I have control over my daily schedule, until there is a change of plans and I have control over getting to an appointment on time, until a slow driver pulls out in front of me. We have control over our choices but not necessarily the end result. And let’s face it there’s two things we have no control over: life and death. We are given one physical life and the opportunity to travel freely until we get to our final destination. By sharing life’s struggles with others we don’t have to travel through life alone.

Traveling Through Life

It’s up to each of us, individually, to make the most of our trip through life. Planning is necessary, including gathering the tools to prepare ourself for the obstacles that will lie in our way.

The key for a successful journey isn’t planning but learning to surrender.

For fifty years I struggled with surrendering. I desperately clung onto a life that was unhealthy. Although my life may have looked well thought out, I ended up getting lost along the way. As a result of my actions I ended up learning to surrender.

By surrendering I am learning to let go and accept life on life’s terms, not mine. At the age of fifty I started to live, learning to enjoy life as it’s meant to be lived, not by how I want to live it.

Making the Most of the Trip

Each year we are given 365 days around the sun and the average life expectancy is 78 years. It’s a long journey to get to our final destination. And chances are you will be faced with many struggles along the way.

The well-lived life is by working through, not just sharing life’s struggles.

Once you arrive how do you know if you lived well? Is it determined by an accumulation of material items or personal achievements tucked under your safety belt? Or, maybe it’s a feeling of fulfillment.

For fifty years I had all my material needs met, but I lacked the healthy coping skills for my day to day activity. My struggles seemed to compound. Today when I face struggles I choose to work through each of them.

A well-lived life goes smoothly because we are equipped to deal with everyday struggles.

Sharing life’s struggles is what we do after experiencing life.

The best way to live life is to experience it. That doesn’t mean you let life pass you by but instead submerge yourself in it. There is no better way than traveling.

Recently, my husband and I returned from a week long trip. We traveled through eight states, covered 2,200 miles, and for half of it I sat on the back of his motorcycle.

Riding the open road doesn’t allow for reading or writing. It does provide for experiencing the lives of others. Each town we traveled through offered a glimpse of the life of everyday Americans. What I noticed was a country full of people who are struggling to get by.

For fifty years, I lived in a small town and raised my daughters, not aware of how other people lived their lives. Since turning fifty, I have left my hometown and broadened my travel horizon. We learn more through our experiences. And it doesn’t take a motorcycle, just a willingness to step outside our comfort zone.

Sharing life’s struggles takes vulnerability.

Face your fears by sharing life’s struggles.

In our world today living is scary, but have you thought about death? Does the idea of death keep you from living? Or, maybe we can change the perspective of death, making it something to look forward to.

When I first told my girlfriends about our motorcycle trip, many expressed their concern. Is it a good idea? Will I be safe? They have an unhealthy fear of motorcycles and struggled with the idea of my trip.

I didn’t think much about it. Although my husband is a competent rider, it’s not him but the other drivers I need to fear. While my friends thought that I was putting my life at risk, I didn’t worry. I know that in the end I don’t have control over my demise.

Fear paralyzes us, it keeps us from getting ahead in life. There is a certain amount of healthy fear that keeps us from being reckless. At the same time not allow it to debilitate our journey.

It’s important we take chances but we need to remember to be deliberate.

Preparations for Life

My husband has a saying that has stuck with our family, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” What’s needed for a safe journey through life?

1. Healthy Coping – With all of the obstacles that will be placed on your path it’s best to have healthy coping skills. For fifty years I resorted to alcohol and today still struggle with turning to alcohol for relaxation. What I found works better for me today is meditating on the Word, writing, and Yoga.
2. Selecting A Travel Companion – I have been married for almost thirty years and my husband has been a constant in my life. However, when I spent thirty days in a rehab, he didn’t travel with me. God is the traveling companion that never leaves my side.
3. Suiting Up With Protection – A helmet isn’t going to do much if we collide with a tractor trailer. The Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit is the full armor of God and will prepare me for the struggles that lie ahead.

Well… I have news for my husband planning only gets us so far! Instead of concerning himself with planning, perhaps, we need to reevaluate what it is to fail.

Without preparing our hearts we will succumb to life’s struggles and fail.

Sharing life’s struggles, then learning to let go.

When we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts, it doesn’t allow much space for resentments, bitterness, and irritability. A struggle I had during our trip was dealing with my husband and his irritability. Check out I do, but sometimes I don’t: The problem with the Christian marriage to read more about our trip.

It’s important that we identify the root cause of our struggles and have a safe place to share. But it’s also important to know when to let go. Holding on to resentment and bitterness leads to irritability and will only impede your journey.

The open road is much more enjoyable when there is nothing holding you back.

Preparing For What Is To Come

Death is inevitable and it’s never too late to prepare your heart for it’s final destination. Even though I was raised in church and as an adult occasionally attended church, it wasn’t until I turned fifty that I developed a relationship with Christ. Life is much like writing a novel, the story develops as you get to know the characters.

Everyday I nurture that relationship with Christ and the result is the other relationships in my life are strengthening. I am learning from my mistakes and sharing from a good place. Writing is part of my journey.

A travelogue offers readers an engaging and inspirational story about the journey we call life.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16 NLT