Find Yourself Off-Roading (video)

On By Michele LeeIn nature, Poetic Prose, Video
There are many roads we might travel during a lifetime. Some roads are scenic and slow, some are bumpy and pocked with jarring holes, some become so routine a mind can travel elsewhere while autopilot steers us there, some leave us temporarily stuck, cursing at other drivers and our bad luck, some are lined with vista-blocking concrete and visible heat, some allow us to travel only one-way, and others bring us to a dead-end, forcing us to turn around and try again.

The paths stretched before us can become so vast that we can spend all our time planning, reaching the end of our road before ever deciding which direction to go.

There are many roads yet to explore and many are a memory in our rear-view mirror, but if it is your interior and not an exterior destination you are seeking to find, then leave well-traveled roads behind and let your heart be the guide. Expect to be surprised by what awaits and what you can create when you color outside of the well-defined lines.

What an absolute delight it was to enjoy some cool jazz at a charming Farmer’s Market found along the winding road. If only I had packed my clarinet I could have joined this talented duet. Next time! 🎶 Back in the sunny southwest… I continue to add more pages to my book project. My current writing objective is to make solid progress before writing workshops and NIA (fusion dance) classes start again. Like I wrote in “Traveling a Winding Road,” and those who have written a book know, I am in a long-term commitment with this project. It feels like a long road ahead of me, but I will get there. ✍🏼 Thank you for visiting, reading, and viewing. Be well. 💗 Michele

Photos: my off-roading images 😉

94 thoughts on “Find Yourself Off-Roading (video)”

  2. Amazing pictures and lovely words filled with emotional attachment to the travel of winding road and your writing project. Wish you a very good luck for your future continuation and many more successes to your existing list my dearest Michele. Thank you for sharing such an awesome experience. 😇❤🥰

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  4. On roads less traveled
    To pages you write
    Beautiful blossoms
    Your words, a delight

    I’ve enjoyed your inspirational writing, Michele 🌼 and always look forward to reading more. Keep up the good work, my friend ✍🏼🌲

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    1. How fun, Phil. I stopped myself from including Frost’s famous poem, “The Road Not Taken” in this post, but my writing has a similar theme. Thanks for enjoying my inspired thoughts that I write to lift and motivate myself – bonus when they do the same for others. 🙏🏼💖✌🏼 You do the same! 😀

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    1. Thank you, D. 🌞 I was in the mountains in Oregon and along the Oregon coast. Thank you for sharing your art page with me. It is fantastic! I cannot believe the amount of art you created during the pandemic and continue to. Impressive my talented friend. 💖

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    1. I need to write that down and carry that with me. 😁 It has taken me a few years to understand this, but I am embracing this idea now and I know my heart will continue to grow in both courage and passion. 💖 I am glad to read you enjoyed the jazz addition. They were great! What a treat, next to farm fresh veggies. I was in heaven! 🥰😆 Thank you for your interest in my book project. That means a lot to me. First goal = first draft. Many more will follow, I am sure. 🤪 Hope you are having an enjoyable week. 😊🤗

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  8. Very well wrtten. 🙂
    Had a teacher in high school, she said that walk on a prepared path – it’s like traveling by train. Someone has made the journey before you. If you go your own way – then you prepare the path for others. There is a grain of truth in it, the world is full of paths – both prepared and unprepared. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much. 😊 I appreciate that.
      Smart teacher! Love her quote. I never said that, but I was a HS English teacher. I left that classroom setting in 2019. Thank you for sharing your teacher’s words that must have made an impression on you. 😄 One of my middle school teachers said, “Only boring people get bored.” That stuck with me. 😆
      Enjoy your week.

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      1. Once read “Any subject can be made interesting, and therefore any subject can be made boring” – imho so it’s works the other way too. “Any subject can be made boring, and therefore any subject can be made interesting” 🙂

        Had many great teachers in my youth, still say that the reason I jumps out of the bed every morning – for learning something new. The same reason why I adore traveling too. 🙂

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      2. You do have a valid point, that works from either perspective, as you have written. A gifted teacher can transform what we might find boring into something interesting. Not sure I ever accomplished that when teaching grammar. 😂 I probably need to revisit some of those lessons for my own writing. 😆

        I am delighted to read that you had many great teachers in your youth. What a gift that was and continues to be for you. I enjoy learning too. 😄 Learning while traveling, now that is the best of both worlds. It is also nice to just relax when travelling, whenever possible. 😊 Happy travels and photographing!

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  9. Your pictures are so rich in their beauty and simplicity ✨ I enjoyed reading your wonderment of wandering different roads – makes me think of what is real and which one is the metaphor – our inner experiences of the world that exactly for the description or the physical world of experiences on these actual roads.

    I loved this line – Expect to be surprised by what awaits and what you can create when you color outside of the well-defined lines.

    I seem to continually color outside the lines in some ways and so amusing that I find it unexpected often when surprised 🙂

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    1. What a lovely comment. Thank you! 📷 Lush trees and berries growing in the wild may be the norm for many people, but for me, they are quite extraordinary and beautiful to see. Delicate plants tend to whither and die in July where I live, as you know. Funny how a juicy little berry can overwhelm me with emotion. Obviously, I enjoyed taking photos while there. 😁

      I am glad my piece gave you reason to pause and consider. My extended metaphor is open for reader interpretation and may vary from reader to reader. 💖 Keep coloring your world in ways that inspire you and being amused (and delighted) by the process. 🙏🏼💐

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      1. Your words give me such heartful smile to read always 💛 :)))) your description of emotions and berries feels so joyfully impactful, I love your invitation of being amused and delighted by the process, I gladly agree ❣️

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  11. Michele, this is BEAUTIFUL! In 2018 my pup and I ventured out for two separate months just traveling the west; visiting the parks and the mountains and most importantly, my sons serving in the Air Force. There’s nothing like taking the roads less-traveled. There’s a freedom in the spirit to push fear aside and “let your heart be your guide” (Michele)-I love it! Keep on keepin’ on my friend. I wish I lived closer to you. I’d like to sit and have coffee chat. Here’s a hug across our space. Karla 🤗

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    1. Thank you, Karla. So very kind of you. 😊 I do remember reading about your adventure and I adore your description of it here. 🌄 I would love a coffee chat. That would be wonderful. ☕☕ Until then, the connection in this forum is a gift. Hugs to you and best wishes on your writing and life ventures! 🤗

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  12. Oh wow Michele, there’s so much truth in your message that I just don’t know where to begin. 😊 I especially loved this: “There are many roads yet to explore and many are a memory in our rear-view mirror, but if it is your interior and not an exterior destination you are seeking to find, then leave well-traveled roads behind and let your heart be the guide.”

    You’re right, sometimes we can become so standardized and robotic when it comes to exploration and adventure. Yet, it’s when that internal stirring grabs your attention and can lead you on a road less traveled or a spot that has never been touched, is when you can find a spiritual fulfillment that is beyond our understanding, but lies within our heart. 💖 Oh girl…another mic drop moment!!! 🎤👏🏼💯

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    1. At the end was a nice place to begin, Kym. 😁 I am happy to read that my closing comments resonated with you. 🥰 Beautiful closing comments from you too! I think I brought some wisdom home from the mountain top. 😆 You must visit daily, because you are always dispensing wise and articulate perspectives. 🌄✍🏼👏🏼😊💗🤗

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      1. Girl Michele, you always have some wonderful mountaintop 🌄 experiences to share and encourage us with. We appreciate that so much. 🤗 Continue to grace us with your nature-inspired travels and words that are born from the depth of those experiences! I LOVE IT girlfriend!!! 👏🏼💯🥰

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      3. Michele girl, now you know you’re very welcome my dear. Thanks for sharing your passion and inspiration with us. You have no idea how much you inspire the rest of us. Have the most FANtabulous weekend girlfriend! 😁✨🤩🎶😉 Cheers! 🌄🥂🌳

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  14. Indeed, Michele, it’s always the heart. So lovingly written as always. I adore the video. My grandfather played the stand up bass a long time ago, and I adore jazz. Justin and I just bought some new jazz records last weekend! 🎼Glad to hear you’re book project is continuing to progress. Beautiful. A lovely evening to you, my dear friend. 🥰❤️

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    1. I just commented on your poem. 😁 Timing!
      Isn’t that the truth. Sometimes we try to run from it (the heart) or analyze its messages away, but I believe there is strong guidance from those messages, if we are willing to listen. Trusting is key. 💗 That is cool about your grandfather – love the standup bass! Thank you for the writing encouragement.🙏🏼 Enjoy your new jazz records and good evening to you too, sweet friend. 😊

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      1. Good morning! Ha! I know, synchronicity, a beautiful thing! Indeed! if we are willing to listen and feel, there is much there to learn. Yes, trust, exactly, Michele. Completely agree. Ah, yes, the stand-up bass is pretty awesome, and I am enjoying the records! You are most welcome, my friend, I know it will be beautiful, like all of your writing. Have a great day! ❤✨

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    1. How nice, thank you, VG. 😊 It seems I left the mountains with peace in my heart and a little philosophy in my soul. ✨
      “cozy music” describes their sound quite nicely. 🎷🎻🎶🥰 Enjoy the rest of your week. 🌞

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  16. Beautiful reflections of you heart Michele and the many roads of adventure we all find ourselves on. I really liked this line

    “The paths stretched before us can become so vast that we can spend all our time planning, reaching the end of our road before ever deciding which direction to go.”

    Life happens awesome when we are making other plans. Such beautiful trips and what a gift to stumble on so jazz at the farmers market. You might have to make a special trip with your clarinet.

    Wow, impressive with your writing.. Sending light to help illuminate your vision.. xo 💖💖💖

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    1. Oh goodness, you are so kind and generous. Thank you, Cindy. I love that line too. I channeled the mountain.😆
      So true, life happens, with or without us. It was a special trip with simple but profound solo moments. 🧘🏼‍♀️ Two talented musicians at a quaint market was a pleasant surprise.🥰 My clarinet would be an easy carryon. 😉 Thanks again caring, Cindy. I welcome and appreciate your shining light. 💖🙏🏼 May you receive what you send out, tenfold in return.

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      1. Oh it is my pleasure my Michele. It was beautiful and such a great spot to channel from with we felt in our bones. Oh yay!!!! I’ll be waiting for an anchor👏👏👏👏
        You are welcome and thanks for the kind message as it’s particularly heartwarming to hear today. Your blessing and energy us a delight. Have a great day❣️

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    1. Hello Miss Annabel. 🌻 I am smiling at the thought of my post being transformed into a bedtime story. 😁 Your mention of “light” reminds me how much I loved being in the sunlight of my feature picture… walking up on the light breaking through the branches and shining on nearby leaves. Divine! 💖 Thank you and have a wonderful rest of the week. 🤗🌞

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  18. Michele, it is so wonderful how much you can see and experience on the drive across the country. A surprise can be waiting around every bend. The video in which a jazz band shows us what they can do is wonderful. Thank you for sharing such a great experience.
    Michele, I wish you all the best! 💝
    Rosie from Germany

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    1. Rosie, I did my share of driving during my two-week writing/nature retreat, but driving across the country would be most sublime. So much to see and experience, as you wrote. Thank you for joining me for some nature, thoughts, and jazz. Best wishes to you as you create beautiful art for the world to enjoy. 💖

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    1. Thank you so much, Diana. Yes, multiple meanings beyond the roads, beyond the lines.💖 I am delighted to read your past year has been full of discoveries. It sure has been full of beautiful poems. 💐 Thank you, you too. 🤗

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  22. Again an amazing one dear Michelle. The pictures are breathtaking ones. The video is also so peaceful. I hope you will complete your new book sooner with the wonderful discoveries. Have a nice Weekend dear M…..

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    1. So very kind, thank you, R.S. Breathtaking and peaceful do describe both the scenery and my time away. Thanks for the book encouragement… it is going to take time, one page at a time. 😄 Best wishes and weekending to you.

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  23. we can spend all our time planning, reaching the end of our road before ever deciding which direction to go.
    This is such a great thought. Your post is full of great wisdom. I enjoyed your beautiful photos and your jazz clip. You would have been a nice addition to the group.

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    1. Thanks Dwight. 😊 I just borrowed some wisdom from the mountain top. 😉 I am glad you enjoyed my photos and jazz clip. I sure enjoyed being surrounded by the natural beauty and delightful sounds. Thank you for your unsubstantiated belief in my musical abilities. I have played for a long time. I will keep practicing before I make it back to the mountain top. 😁 Enjoy your weekend.

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  25. Well written and provoking! You wrote with profoundness and it was prolific in a poetic sense. Your sharing opened the way for us to contemplate our own journey. My take away is let my heart lead me and expect to be pleasantly surprised.
    Keep pressing on and toward living life to the fullest! Stay beautiful and safe!🥳💕

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    1. Thank you for reading, Tony. 😊 I often feel like my posts are like children, that I have and nurture for a brief time, before sending them out into the world. Your words affirm my feelings. 🙏🏼 I love your takeaway! 🥰 I will do my best each day. God willing. 💗 Thank you, you too!

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  29. Pingback: Find Yourself Off-Roading (video) – MobsterTiger

    1. Love that! Thanks, Jaya. It did sing and hum… in my rental car and in my heart. 💗 I am pleased you were able to connect with my winding tales. Detours and surprises enrich life. ✍🏼 🎶 🌳🌲 Happy week to you!

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