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It was one of those nights where the clock wasn't in sync with my schedule. As I was finishing getting ready to go out for the evening, the clock was telling me I should already be there. Maybe you've experienced them - those time warps where great chunks disappear and no one lets you in on the secret until it's too late.

So, I started out late and traffic was heavy. I was confident heading to downtown Los Angeles. After all, this IS my city and I'm at home here.

As I took my exit and tried to get to The Standard to celebrate my magnificent friend Elsa, I ran into one obstacle after another. All kinds of roads were barricaded and blocked. I didn't realize the city was set up for the Marathon the next day and, frankly, at that point I didn't care. After several failed attempts, I felt lost even though I could see the neon lights of the restaurant shining bright. Friendly traffic people were out waving me on to go in directions I didn't want to go. I have to be honest here and admit that I waved back at a few of them with a gesture that I haven't used in years.

I was confused and lost, feeling blocked from my destination. It was right there and I knew it, but the traffic gods weren't on my side this night and I was about to give up and go home.

So close and, yet, so far away.

Now, the truth is that I persisted and was guided to the party that night. But as I looked back on this experience, I was amused to see that it was a great metaphor for life.

Sometimes we get lost and confused. We know we're REALLY close to our destination or goal. We can feel it, see it, taste it. We're excited about it and yet, for whatever reasons, our way seems to be blocked and we feel we are being forced to take endless detours.

The simple truth is that sometimes we need to ask for and be willing to receive help. Sometimes we need to be willing to be guided and shown the way. Sometimes we need to be open to the idea that there is a different, better way for us to receive our great good. Sometimes we need to remember to stay teachable.

Our goal, our destination, our success IS right there waiting for us. Though we may be confused, we are never really lost. We just may need to take a deep breath and be willing to go a different way than we had originally planned.

Delay is not denial. Barricades are not impenetrable barriers. We just need to open our eyes to see things from a different perspective, to seek the solution instead of focusing on the problem. We need to have people around us who have been where we're going and are willing to show us the way.

Sometimes on the road of life we become frustrated, angry, and confused. We may be ready to give up on our dreams and just turn back to the familiar. In those moments we are almost blinded by the haze of illusion that blocks us from seeing the truth.

We can always make a different choice. When we're on the road of life and are about to give up, that's the precise moment when we may need to take a deep breath, relax, and ask for help or guidance. We can acknowledge that we feel confused, admit when we feel lost, and yet stand firm in the certainty that our perfect path, our ideal solution, will be found. Holding our vision strong, we can then stand in the faith that we are fully supported and that everything we need will be provided. Absolutely everything.

Because while we know what lies behind us, without the courage to move forward we will never know the miracles and the magic that lies ahead.

Don't leave before the miracles happen. YOU deserve them!!!

Copyright 2005 Debbie Friedman