Unexpected discoveries are expected, even looked forward to, on vacation. Anticipation of seeing new places, eating different foods and hearing other languages gives us a perspective of leaving home. Most travelers imagine what it would be like to live in vacation spots.

And, so it was with me. Driving down California’s Highway 1, famous for beautiful vistas, treacherous curves and plummeting cliffs is an adventure. No wonder it is the site of movies and commercials. The beauty and anxiety draw you into the scenery. I was prepared for Highway 1. I’d driven it many times. I was not prepared for turning left into a redwood forest with a breathtaking drive and view that transports you to visions of early life on our planet. Trees so tall your neck stretches back to see the tops, growing in “families” of circles, grouped together and arching over the paved path to form shade.

Turning left gave us instant awe and surprise! We even took pictures looking out at the end of the road. One view was a picture of the blue Pacific ocean, ringed by yellow grass and beach, overcast with blue and white marine layer. Now, turn around in the same spot and snap a picture of the entrance to the Redwoods, where every clearing on the road had a cabin smushed into the landscape. A retreat.

Isn’t that the way it is with meditation practice and looking at our thoughts? One view is one way but the same thought can be experienced differently? For example, take weight. “Boo hoo – I didn’t lose any weight this week” or “Whoo hoo, I didn’t gain any weight this week!” Same fact, different perspectives which will lead to similar thoughts and feelings about weight/self.

Is one any better than the other? Not really. They are just different. They can become different experiences if we travel down the thought path or more positive or more negative thoughts, believing them. We have a choice. We can look at our thoughts, whatever they are, and accept them as “just another thought” and “this is my thought about that” and let it go. That’s all. Another one will come. Just as another experience came down Highway 1. Oh, yes, traveling Highway 1 is like this and now it is like this.

Moments in time give us a perspective of view, but nothing stays the same. Change can be beautiful.