When Detours Happen

Remember Who You Are, Not Just Where You Are

You've probably heard the saying, "It's not where you are but who you are that matters." I’m reminded of my friend's experience at a popular Southern California pizza joint brings this point home, and it's a lesson we could all do well to remember.

Picture this Los Angeles 2009, my friend was dining with her family, enjoying the aroma of freshly baked pizza and the chatter of other patrons, when something unusual caught her attention. It was their waiter—an unassuming guy, seamlessly juggling orders, smiles, and kitchen calls. But according to my friend, he seemed to be doing more than just delivering pizzas and refilling drinks.

"That guy is a successful executive caught up in our economic downturn," she whispered to her mom, "and has taken this position to get by until he gets back on his feet."

Now, she had never met this waiter before and knew nothing about his life. But there was something about him—an air of leadership, perhaps—that radiated more than his current job title indicated. And it got me thinking.

The Detours of Life

We all face detours in life. Maybe you've been laid off, are going through a divorce, or facing a health crisis. These detours can easily knock the wind out of us and make us forget who we are, not to mention the accomplishments we've amassed along the way. But if that waiter can stand tall and make a difference in his current role, why can't we?

Your Detour Is Not Your Destination

Remember, the place you find yourself in right now is just that—a place. It's not your identity, nor does it define your worth. The waiter didn't allow his circumstances to change who he was at his core. Instead, he seemed to uplift those around him, perhaps teaching them leadership skills they might not learn otherwise. He turned his detour into an opportunity.

Navigating Back On Track

When life throws a wrench in your plans, take a deep breath, reflect on your journey so far, and remember your worth. You've survived challenges before, you’ve built something meaningful, and you can do it again. The answers you need to get back on track will come when you remember who you are.

And when you do find your way back, make it a point to lift those around you. Share the lessons you've learned and the resilience you've gained. Because success is not just in the destination, it's also in the lives you touch along the way.

So, the next time you find yourself detoured—be it a small roadblock or a significant life event—remember, it's more crucial to focus on who you are than where you are. You're not just passing through life; you're shaping it, for yourself and those who cross your path.

Remember who you are, and you'll never be lost.

Thanks for reading,

William Rochelle, but you can call me Bill

#LifeDetours #RememberWhoYouAre #InspirationalJourneys #Motivation #LeadershipSkills