That One Alternate Path

That One Alternate Path

Hi everyone! My name is George Safaipour. When it comes to the floods that occurred in the Clarksville, TN area earlier this month, they were high. The trail near the Cumberland and Red Rivers got flooded above typical levels, and I was able to seek higher ground while walking. In fact, many paths existed. It would be impossible to explain all the possible paths that can be taken simply because these options were literally infinite. Even a fraction of a degree on the path can make a whole new alternate path and still lead me to the same trail that was not submerged. What was critical here was that I did not complain about the flood waters. I already knew the area from studying the area many times over, and I was familiar with the area given that I drove through one major intersection nearby. I decided to go pace through the intersection and walk along a road to go back to the trail. I was successful, and I felt it didn’t cost me anything except a modified path.

Sometimes, this happens to me when I come across a block of some kind. When the situation appears to be muddy, I seek the higher ground of the situation and leave my typical route. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to explore new opportunities and places. For this case, I was able to see new stores and restaurants that I didn’t pay enough attention towards while driving because I had to focus on driving. The view changes, and that’s great about taking a new path. Some people will not want to do so because of a setback of some kind. Once you get past that blockor setback, it only becomes a fading memory, and you are left with a path that you will remember very well after you study the new path carefully.

It may not cost much to sacrifice a typical path or course of action in order to try something new. Sometimes, that new path may be the new and only option that is truly practicable after a reinstated change. I witnessed this a few times in my life with the most recent occurrence on the Clarksville trail as a result of the heavy May rains. The point is that it can happen anywhereand at any time.

When it comes to taking an alternate path, these can be two characteristics of such a path: 1) It’s effective and 2) it’s efficient.

When an alternate path is efficient, that is a sure sign that the alternate path may work out due to the time savings the alternate path naturally provides. For example, automating a task on a computer may be more effective than to manually type out a program script. That can save tons of time and resources by simply letting the computer do the hard work for you. Additionally, taking that alternate route can be more efficient in some circumstances than staying with the old ways. This has occurred many times throughout history, especially concerning inventions. We all want to take an efficient path into a task or activity. It’s very natural to us to use the least amount of time and effort into a task by taking the path that guarantees more efficiency. That’s one of the major benefits of going an alternate path.

Plus, when an alternate path is effective, it works at or even beyond your expectations. For example, you may want to use Cajun spice as a substitute for oregano to enhance the flavor of the dish in a recipe. Even though the taste will be different, it’s greatly different by the savory goodness that the Cajun spice provides to the spicy beans you prepared. The final dish may be more flavorful than using the oregano for this instance, and that is highly determined by what the dish is trying to accomplish. Going on that alternate path may be more effective than by going in the usual direction. You may even admit this yourself at some periods of time in your life, and you came to the same conclusion that it was more efficient and effective to take an alternate route rather than sticking with the same route.

Even though the alternate path may look a bit challenging at first, please do not be intimidated by that fact. It will all pass through, and you will see yourself completing the alternate path much sooner than you can even think about! It’s all a matter of trusting yourself to take that path and keeping with that path.

What happens if someone does not trust that alternate path? In some cases, it can be valid to argue that an alternate path may not be better given that the efficiency and/or effectiveness is hindered by taking an alternate path. In that specific instance, that is true. In other cases, it is better to stick with the alternate path and try it out given that the efficiency and/or effectiveness improves with the situation you are experiencing. Even though it may be a risk, it’s a risk that is worth venturing given that it is done for the right reasons. You’ll have more awareness and experience of your surroundings than you’ve had before by simply taking a path close by the current path you currently trek.

Simply put, taking an alternate path may bring many paths and options along with it, and it is up to you to choose which alternate path you want to take. It can bring forth efficiency and effectiveness by trusting the alternate path that we choose for a particular case. However, it may or may not always work, so that’s why we have to know for ourselves if the alternate path is worth risking. Once you take an alternate path the right way for the right reasons with a great level of confidence and expectation that the path will be better for your efficiency and effectiveness, you will come closer to feeling that radiance of Strivulence!