“If everything goes according to plan, you have no good stories to tell.”
This is my motto in life and writing.
Stories (and life) happen in the detours. Embrace them. Look for opportunities to explore and have an adventure.
There is nothing quite so boring as a trip that goes according to some meticulous plan.
Think about it. What was your last trip? Your last big adventure? What are the stories you share? If you are like most, you begin with the things that went wonky, those odd moments that could not be anticipated–the near accidents, the scary dude who sat beside you and muttered about the end of days, or the time you got lost only to find the perfect haven.
Stories need tension. They need something to push against, whether it is a villain, weather or other obstacle. Without those roadblocks, there is no story.
The same can be said about life. It is best lived when we are open to the unexpected and welcome the deviations. That is where life thrives. So go forth and embrace the detours. I promise you will come back with stories–ones you will share and remember.
My favorite stories to tell are the ones that happened as a complete surprise or as the result of a mistake. What stories do you like to tell?