If we only look for the open straight road, we are likely doomed to remain in the flat terrain. However, if we take a path that includes switchbacks, our chances of reaching higher ground and gaining perspective are greater. Straight roads allow us to cover more distance. Switchbacks provide us access to the viewpoints.
I find switchbacks essential to the journey. They allow me to continue at my cadence while gaining (or losing) the elevation I need to reach my objective. They also provide perspective and an opportunity to contemplate what comes next. Even when we travel away from the summit, there is a sense of certainty that we are on course.
How might we see bends in the pathway as confirmation of our progress and wayfinding? How might we embrace directional change as intentional instead of failure? How might we celebrate that the greater the difficulty, the less likely we can move directly between the departure and arrival point?
What-if-concepts 