Don't Stop Before You Start

I was driving to work the other day and noticed flashing lights ahead. Two police cars were parked on each side of the street approximately 2-3 blocks ahead. Cars were driving toward us but none were going ahead in the direction of the flashing lights. The cars in front of me turned around to head back the other way rather than proceed ahead. I was certain they were all turning around because they saw others doing it. The drivers may have been hesitant, doubtful, or just afraid to go forward. Nothing was blocking our path. There weren’t any detour signs or policemen redirecting traffic. The only deterrent was the flashing lights and the fact that they were police cars. Whoever it was that led this retreat, caused everyone else to turn around and go the other way. Since I didn't see any roadblocks or detour signs, I concluded that the lights were not signaling me to stop but to proceed with caution.  

My destination was ahead not behind me

I was curious why everyone was turning around. I was next. I was now the lead car and had to make a decision. I saw no reason to turn around when my destination was ahead of me not behind me. I chose not to turn back. I proceeded to drive forward. If the cops needed me to go the other way, they would have blocked the road, I thought to myself. As I continued ahead, mindfully maintaining the speed limit, I discovered that the only purpose for the police cars and the flashing lights was because of an event in the building on the right. The officers were not in their vehicles. The cars were empty. I observed one officer standing near the walkway of the building casually chatting with another gentleman.  There was a man to the left side of the road in an orange vest, not a cop, holding up a stop sign as people attending the event approached to cross the street. The policeman appeared to be enjoying his conversation and never turned even to look my way.  

I considered turning back

When I saw all the cars ahead of me turning back to head the opposite way, I thought to do the same. But it just didn’t make sense to me to do it. So, instead, I asked myself, why should I follow them? I was sure they didn’t know why they were turning around, other than the fact that the cars in front of them did. I decided to drive forward -- and I glanced in my rearview mirror to see if any cars came behind me. No, they were all turning around to go back the other way. But I proceed ahead – alone.

Who are you following?

Know who is leading you and why you’re following them. If what you seek is in front of you, don't stop just because others are going the other way. What may appear to be a signal to stop may not be that at all. Don't let fear or doubt block your vision. Don't be misguided or dissuaded by others. Where I needed to go was in front of me, not behind me. So, I made my own decision to go forward. And I arrived at my destination right on schedule.

Don’t stop before you start

If you know where you’re going, don’t create roadblocks for yourself by blindly follow the crowd. That kind of thinking will stop you before you start. If you want something, stay the course. Using your intuitive thinking skills can be a valuable asset. Be the trailblazer, if that's what it takes.