The best discoveries I've ever made have been off the beaten path. Whether people, projects or places, the story has always been the same. Plan a journey, get forced (or sometimes choose to go) off course and cool things happen. Sometimes it's a conversation with a stranger. Sometimes it's an unplanned topic of conversation with a friend. Sometimes it's a wrong turn while running or biking in an unfamiliar town. And sometimes it's forcing myself to ask risky questions or to take the time to go the long way. But almost every time the outcome is the same. I meet interesting people, learn new points of view, see interesting things…and learn a whole lot along the way.
So even though I'm sometimes annoyed by the process of the detour, in the end I'm glad I took it.
One of the best gifts you can give yourself is the element of surprise through discovery. It only costs a bit of time and an open mind...rarely much else. I hope you let yourself wander…the journey is indeed priceless.