Taking the road less travelled

When do we get insight to move forward? To take action? To do a kind deed? When we are engaged in some other activity. Suddenly, an idea pops into our heads to deviate from the planned course and do something else. Most often, we dismiss this idea. We're too tired, too stressed, or our favorite show is about to begin. So we fail to take action.

We never know the joy we missed by not taking that sidetrack. We just go on, mechanically doing the same things we have always done.

The other day, after working all day, I went to a study meeting to learn more about my faith. In one way, I had to be there, as I was leading the discussion. In another way, I wanted to be there because I wanted to be part of the activity. When it was over, my plan was to take my friend home and go home myself.

But then a thought popped into my mind. This would be a good time to visit another friend who had called me earlier that day from the emergency room asking me to notify some relatives that he had been injured on the job. I wasn't even sure if he had been admitted, but I made a U-turn and headed toward the hospital.

I saw that visiting hours ended at 8:30 and it was now 9 pm. But the automatic outside door opened, and someone inside triggered the switch to open the inside door. No one was at the desk to tell me if my friend had been admitted, so I proceeded to the emergency room to find out.

I walked in and a security guard asked me if he could help. I told him about my quest and he directed me to a clerk who told me my friend's room number. The security guard escorted me to the right room and showed me how to find my way out when I was ready to leave.

It was the right thing to do. My friend looked tired and gray because of two broken ribs and a collapsed lung, but he was happy to see me. We visited for about a half hour, and then I suggested that we chant for a few minutes. He agreed and as we chanted together, although he was in pain, his color improved as he breathed deeper from chanting.

Seeing the color return to his face was the best return on my investment of a little bit of time. I left my study materials with him, and when I arrived home, he called to tell me how much the first article he read encouraged him, and how much better he felt after my visit.