Embracing Headwinds

On a recent drive to the Joshua National Tree Park, I encountered significant headwinds on the highway. I felt the wind swaying my car from side to side like a bouy floating in the vast ocean.

At first, I began to feel anxious as I didn’t want to veer out of my lane and possibly bump into another car. After a few deep breaths, I held the steering wheel with a firm yet gentle touch so I could maintain steadiness and safety.

In reflecting on this experience, I started to wonder about the lessons we are able to learn from the physical and metaphorical headwinds we face in life. Instead of wishing these headwinds would die as soon as possible, what if we paused and reflected on the how, where, and why of their appearance in our paths.

Perhaps it is an opportunity to either stay the course so we can weather the storm or learn to pivot to a new path so we can take shelter and ground ourselves in our bodies and minds.

Perhaps it is a reminder to peel back the layers so we cultivate physical and/or emotional strength to stay firmly planted in our own two feet.

Perhaps it is finally discovering the courage residing within us so we can start to reframe our perspectives and decide what works best for us.

Courage that shows us that we can define “best” in our own way and void of external expectations.

Courage that invites us to go against the grain, which creates a headwind.

Courage that says to us, “You are the headwind, my dear. You are charting the course that feels most true to yourself. You are strong and steady.”