Unplanned Detours

September was a month filled with plans, excitement, and dreams of taking time off in October. I had it all mapped out—visiting my family, unwinding, and giving myself the much-needed break. But life had other plans. Due to unforeseen events, particularly the unrest back home in Lebanon, my month off didn’t unfold the way I envisioned. I couldn’t travel, couldn’t reset, and couldn’t do many things I had set my heart on.

And yet, despite this overwhelming sense of being “stuck” where I am, I’ve realized something: sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay.

In moments like these, we’re reminded of how little control we actually have over the outside world, and it’s easy to feel disappointed when things fall apart. But rather than dwelling on what could have been, I’m choosing to see this as an opportunity—a new beginning of sorts. Maybe it’s not the break I had planned, but it can still be a time for reflection, a time to adapt, and a time to embrace change.

When life throws us curveballs, we often find ourselves at a crossroads. Do we stay stuck, or do we pivot and create a new path? I’m choosing the latter. This experience has taught me to let go of rigid expectations and to make room for the unexpected. Yes, I didn’t get the restful break I hoped for, but I’ve gained perspective. I’ve learned that sometimes the best laid plans aren’t meant to happen, and maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

So here’s to embracing what comes our way, even if it wasn’t part of the original plan. Here’s to seeing every closed door as an invitation to something new. And here’s to moving forward, one step at a time, with a little more patience, resilience, and hope for whatever lies ahead.