Mindful Monday: "Are We There Yet?"
A few weeks ago, I shared one of my favourite childhood memories: our annual summer trips to Prince Edward Island to visit my grandparents and a large extended family.
Every summer, our family would pile into the station wagon and drive to Prince Edward Island — where both my parents were born.
My dad would pack the car with the precision of an engineer, and my mom would make her famous egg salad sandwiches on homemade bread, along with a thermos of coffee for the two of them. Off we went with trusty paper maps in hand.
Like many kids, I was eager to get there — asking “Are we there yet?” more times than I can count.
We’d play "I spy" or count cows to pass the time. Without fail, every single year, we’d get lost somewhere near Montreal. From the back seat, we could sense the tension rising. We were off course — again. But we always found our way, and with a few new stories to tell.
There were flat tires, camping under the stars, someone inevitably got carsick, and there were always detours or traffic jams. But it was all part of the adventure.
We knew we’d arrived when we saw the red earth and caught the scent of salty ocean air. And at this point - I was filled with excitement!
As an adult, I’ve returned to the Island many times. It still holds a special place in my heart — for its land, its beauty, and the deep family roots.
The other journey we are on is the one of self-discovery.
It’s a different kind of road trip — one without a clear destination. It’s not about arriving somewhere, but about learning to embrace exactly where we are, moment by moment.
For years, I longed to “get there.” I read books that promised presence and peace, and I would think, When will I arrive? When will I finally feel that sense of inner calm?
I didn’t know exactly where “there” was, but I wanted to arrive. I wanted to feel complete. Whole. At peace.
Over time, I’ve come to understand something essential: there is no final destination on the path of inner growth. This journey doesn’t come with a map or a neat ending point. It’s ongoing. It’s unfolding. And yes — the ego hates this.
The ego wants results. It wants timelines. It wants guarantees. And when we don’t feel like we’re making “progress,” it gets loud: Why aren’t you there yet? What’s wrong with you? You should be further along.
But just like those summer road trips, we can prepare ourselves for the spiritual journey. We can pack wisely. We can pause and rest when needed. And we can ask for support when we feel lost.
"Fall in love with where you are. Turns toward this moment, Curl into the arms of Now. This is the journey, not the destination."
— Jeff Foster
I’ve learned that I need companions on this path — people who remind me that detours are okay and that it’s normal to lose your way sometimes.
I’ve also learned that kindness and honesty go a long way. Meeting myself with compassion — even when I feel tired, off-course, or uncertain — is the most powerful medicine.
And although it can be unnerving for the ego, there’s something beautiful about loosening our grip on the wheel. Trusting that we don’t have to control every turn. Trusting that even in the not-knowing, we’re still moving in the right direction.
May your summer days be filled with presence, peace, and paths that take you exactly where you need to go. And may adventure meet you along the way, in both the planned and the unplanned moments.
With love,