I am a creature of habit. I like following a straight, narrow path, knowing exactly what lies ahead.

Take restaurants, for example. I always order the same meal: salad (no meat, no cheese, no croutons, oil and vinegar dressing) and the same drink—water and a glass of chardonnay.

Every two weeks, I visit the same library and grab two books from the “New Fiction” shelf. Easy peasy.

I love my routine. It works for me.

But lately, my life’s path has been anything but straight and narrow. There’ve been curves, side trails, and even a few roadblocks. I’ve had to pivot.

Now, I’ll admit—I’m out of practice with pivoting. Back when I taught kindergarten, pivoting was second nature. I had to think on my feet all the time.

I remember one lesson about rhyming words that had me over the moon. The kids were finally getting it! I’d call out a word, and they’d call back rhymes. We were having so much fun. Then, a little girl in the front row started waving her hand like her life depended on it.

I said, “Yes, sweetie, do you have a rhyming word for us?”

She looked at me earnestly and said, “No, Mrs. Clark, but I think you’re gettin’ too excited. Every time you talk, you’re spittin’ a little bit.” 😬

And just like that, my amazing lesson was over. Rhyming was out, and “spittin’” was all the kids could talk about. So, I pivoted. I gave a quick science lesson on saliva instead!

See, I do know how to pivot. I just don’t like to. I’m comfortable with my routine. But I’ve learned that sometimes, when life forces you off your usual path, good things can happen.

• Like when I decided to branch out and try new foods and drinks at a local restaurant—they were delicious! I should’ve done it sooner.
• Or when I visited a different library and found books my usual library didn’t stock—they were fantastic!
• And that impromptu “saliva” lesson? The kids were absolutely enthralled. I bet they remember it to this day.

So, here’s the lesson: Pivot when you have to—or even just for fun. 

You never know what’s around the corner!

—Peni