The Art of Wandering

I took a wrong turn today. Not by accident, but by choice. Instead of following my usual route home, I let my feet decide the path. The result was a journey through parts of the city I'd never seen before.

There's something magical about wandering without purpose. When you're not trying to get somewhere specific, everywhere becomes interesting. That alleyway I'd never noticed before suddenly holds secrets. The old bookstore on the corner becomes a treasure trove waiting to be explored.

I think we've forgotten how to get lost. GPS has made us efficient, but perhaps less adventurous. We optimize for the shortest path, the fastest route, the most direct way. But what about the scenic route? The path that takes you past the old oak tree, or through the neighborhood where the houses all have different colored doors?

Today I discovered a small park I never knew existed, hidden between two buildings. It had a single bench and a fountain that wasn't working, but it was perfect. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for.

Maybe tomorrow I'll take another wrong turn. Maybe I'll get lost again, and find something beautiful in the process.