LET'S GO WITH ALIEN ABDUCTION

http://imikimi.com/main/view_kimi/29Us-1wS

I disappeared for most of the summer and I feel really bad because I also disappeared on a blogfest I signed up for. For that I am SO SORRY.

I'd claim alien abduction but only a few of you would believe me. ;)

But in a way I was abducted. My brain was abducted and held captive by worry and stress. The life I thought I was going to lead was abducted and re-deposited into this new alien life.

So, yea, let's just go with alien abduction.

I think it works.

http://www.neatoshop.com/product/Abducted-By-Aliens

As I'm sure all of you know, life derails us from time to time.

Sometimes we see it coming.

 Other times we're cruising along, enjoying the view and next thing we know we're plunging head first into a canyon because we didn't see the bridge out signs.

 Lucky for me I've been derailed before (doesn't that sound super lucky?) so I learned to always watch for the bridge out and/or detour signs.

But even though I saw it coming I still felt trepidation when I saw the detour loom ahead and the path I expected to take completely washed out. And as I made the turn onto this alien path, road, track (whatever analogy I'm working with. Lol!) I mourned the path I thought would be my future, looked differently upon the path behind me and feared the unknown path ahead of me.

Because for some ridiculous reason we think that our lives will take this straight path. When a pothole or detour stands in our way we're surprised. And it's ludicrous! (I love it when I get to use that word. Hehe!) I mean if we've lived any significant amount of time we should have learned that life is NEVER a straight path!

 When I look back at the path I've taken so far I see it wasn't by any means a smooth, straight road through a shady meadow.

 No, it more closely resembled a rollercoaster rather than a path.

 And that's just fine!

Because a straight, peaceful path is boring.

 A rollercoaster is exciting!

http://www.lolpix.com/pictures/13/Funny_Pictures_254.htm
As a parent this disturbs me greatly but she is the perfect example of embracing the bumps in the road. ;)

When you're writing or reading you don't want to experience the life of a character who has a normal, cookie-cutter, straight-laced life. You rather she have no idea of what's about happen. Just when she thinks she has everything figured out you want the rug ripped out from underneath her. You want twists, turns, excitement, joy, fear, sadness, hatred and love.

Because that's what makes a great story

and

what makes a great life.

So when life sends you on a detour don't let it define you as the person who was abducted by aliens and re-deposited on some scary, alien path to be forever lost. Just dust yourself off, take out the probe (had to) and whip out your machete so you can forge ahead. ;)

And if you don't believe me here are some of the many of things that's been guiding me since being abducted.

Good old Robert Frost.

"Two roads diverged in the woods and I--I took the road less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

"...Drench yourself with words unspoken.

Live your life with arms wide open.

Today is where your book begins.

The rest is still unwritten..."

No judging! This is an awesome song! Lol!

"...The struggles I'm facing

the chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking.

I may not know it

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yeah

just gotta keep going.

And I, I got to be strong

just keep pushing on..."

One of my friends had this posted on Facebook:

"Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up and exclaiming loudly...

"WOW!!! WHAT A RIDE!!"

This just makes me giggle.

So there you have it.

Sometimes life throws us a major suck-fest but that doesn't mean YOUR LIFE has to suck.

YOUR LIFE is what YOU make of it.

Go ahead and tend to your wounds

then dust yourself off,

pick yourself up,

pop your neck,

crack those knuckles

and say

"I GOT THIS."

What about you?

Do any of you have something that gets you through when the road gets bumpy or detours you?