There are many things I enjoy about being in the Smoky Mountains; the streams and creeks, the views from atop mountains, hiking its trails and the scenic roadways seem to top the list.  This days travels carried me over snow covered roads that appear to disappear behind the giant rocks jumping out of the side of the mountain.  One thing for certain about these roads that snake their way through this ancient forest is they are definitely not straight.  And as you drive these roads you must give them your constant attention and respect because they are filled with obstacles and detours.

        This was a special trip for me to this magical place; one I will not soon forget.  We arrived Friday and had a great time, Saturday it began snowing and as we began to return to our cabin on top of the mountain the driving conditions began to slowly worsen until we reached a spot that we could not cross because of the ice and snow.  Through much slipping and sliding we attempted to climb the icy hill; a little forward, a little backward (mostly backward) we were making no progress.  Then a much bolder (crazier) driver passed me and attempted to show me how it was done; then he got sideways and came to rest in the ditch.  On his heels someone attempted to come down the mountain and guess what, he too wound up in the ditch.

        The next morning I once again try to climb the mountain; this time on foot because the road is totally impassable by anything meant for the highway.  As we walk slowly up the frozen mountain we count over 60 stranded autos.  Some people would have called this a hopelessly ruined trip, a disaster, a tragedy and one they would love to forget.  But not me; in fact the walk up my snow covered mountain was breathtaking and one I would have paid money to make had the circumstances been different.  Now we could have chosen to be angry and complain the whole time but it was just as easy to enjoy the beautiful scenery.  I believe the best time to relax and take pleasure in your surroundings is when you are not where you want to be or planned on being… the detours of life.

        Life is full of detours.  Things seldom go the way we thought they would.  Our plans go astray as we try to climb life’s mountains and sometimes we find ourselves stuck in the ditch.  What are we to do when we are forced to take a detour in life?  First, learn to enjoy your life no matter where you are and when life isn’t the way you like, like it the way it is.  There are many wonderful experiences and blessings awaiting us in the detours we are forced to take.  Realize that the detour is not a pause in our lives, but they are our lives.  Choose to enjoy the detours.

Something to think about:

• To have what we want is riches; but to be able to enjoy what we have is power.

• True contentment is a real, even an active, virtue—not only affirmative but creative. It is the power of getting out of any situation all there is in it.

• He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

• Contentment understands that if I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want.

• Contentment is realizing that God has already given me everything I need for my present happiness.

• Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.

• The contented man is never poor, the discontented never rich.

• Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure.

Enjoying the drive
Rickey Moore
To see Moore photos from my detours visit www.rlmoore.com