Trusting My Gut

I was supposed to go to New York City the weekend before last, to visit my 22-year old son.

We had tickets to the Tim Burton Exhibit at MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), and First-Born Son had decided weeks ago where we absolutely had to go to dinner.

But then came the weather report. You guessed it: more snow. At least 16 inches were predicted for Manhattan.

I got all kinds of advice. Fly; drive to Connecticut and take the train; cancel the trip.

I've spent my whole life in the Northeast, so driving in snow rarely fazes me. I'd even driven to Manhattan in a raging blizzard once before (not on purpose; it involved Broadway tickets, last minute changes in the weather report that somehow got overlooked...don't ask).

That trip took eight hours and exposed every last raw nerve in my body. Nothing could ever be that bad again; of that I was certain.

I'd just read Vodkamom's post about listening to your instincts, trusting your gut. So I drowned out everyone's words and concentrated on what I really thought was the right thing to do.

And I went.

The road was somewhat crazy weather-wise. Rain, snow, sun-showers, sun-flurries. It changed every 20 miles at least.

Crazy weather, yes. But unsafe? No.

I rolled into Manhattan in just under four-and-a-half hours. Record time.

It was still snowing. Huge piles created by plows. Slush and ice everywhere. Central Park got almost twenty inches before it was over. For once I was happy to be behind the wheel of my gas-guzzling environmental monster of a truck.

But I got to see First-Born Son and meet the new GF. Tall, smart, lovely. The three of us walked all around Times Square in the snow Friday night before dinner.

First-Born Son and I hit MOMA on Saturday. Saw the loveliest little snow-person sculpted jauntily in the middle of Park Avenue. We shopped uptown and down.

He watched in triumph as I chowed down on sliders and a tall Guinness shake in his restaurant of choice on St. Mark's. Not exactly the menu I might have chosen, but delicious nonetheless. Even the Guinness shake. Especially the Guinness shake.

I wouldn't have believed it myself, but, like everything else about the weekend, I'm counting the days till I can try it again.

What chances have you taken lately? Or, what have you done that you weren't sure you should, and then were so glad you did?

 

Comments

[SuziCate]

So glad you had a great time, a safe trip, and that the GF was lovely. All was good!

[Mrsbear]

It's so easy to get caught up in scary weather warnings, but glad you made in their safely and had a wonderful visit. I've had a few of those moments, where I'm a little bogged down with other people's doubts, but trusting my instinct has not steered me wrong yet.

Although, a Guinness shake...I don't know if I'm that brave. ;)

[Krista]

GOOD FOR YOU Maureen! I'm glad you decided to go and I'm SO glad that you guys had so much fun.

Recently... I made a *huge* stand with Mr. Handsome before he left on vacation. I think it may have cost me my relationship with him but it was a "I deserve more respect than this" stand so I think it had to be done. I've been second guessing it for two weeks and have another week to go until I'll find out just how the cookie is going to crumble. Worthy chance. Bummer outcome (I suspect...) but it's an acceptable risk, I think.

Keep your fingers crossed for me... maybe I'll get lucky and things will turn out as well for me as they did for you this weekend. ;o)

[Sandi]

How creepy was the Tim Burton exhibit?

[LPC]

Oh, it sounds like such a wonderful trip.

[Pseudo]

It sounds like a fantastic trip Maureen. I have only been to NYC once, but loved every minute and can't wait to go back.

Glad your trip was awesome.

[Ocean Girl]

I rolled into Manhattan..I want that.

You changed picture Maureen.

[PLRH]

Some many people have been blogging about gut instincts lately. Is there something I should know about?

I'm so happy that you made the trip safely. I'm also jealous. MoMA AND a Guinness milkshake? Awesome! Also, I love the city in the snow. Probably because I never had to drive in it as a child.

Love the new photo! :)

[Jan]

There are two times I trusted my gut when my head said, "Don't you think you ought to think this over?" So, I went out with Beloved on our first date. The second time, I married him.

I wanna see the Tim Burton exhibit...

[Kristina P.]

Good for you! I am a wimp. I probably would have stayed home!

[Twenty Four At Heart]

It was very, very, difficult but this morning I trusted my gut instincts and DIDN'T kill my 15 yo son has he exhibited major teen attitude.

[Gretchen]

Ah! This makes me want to be in New York! We missed our usual trip for Christmas. Guinness shake sounds like the perfect St. Patrick's Day treat!

[Sprite's Keeper]

Sounds like one of those perfect weekends, no matter what the weather was like. :-)

[Mama Badger]

That does sound like a lot of fun. You'll have to do a post about the exhibit for those of us who won't make it to NYC to see it! I like it when there's enough snow for the kids in the city (be they young or old) have some fun with it.

Most of what I do lately is gut instinct. I don't have enough time or energy to over think things lately. Sad, huh?

I like the new picture!

[Terry]

I needed to read this post today. I am so happy you went. Sometimes I wonder if I will always have the energy. But we must push on...through snow and sleet and hail...

And how's the new GF? And the Tim Burton exhibit.

[Erin]

Most of my decisions go against conventional wisdom - I'm lost when I don't go with my gut feeling.
My ex drove up last weekend from Manhattan - they had 21 inches of snow in their neighborhood. We had nothing here in Maine. Crazy.
Love your new photo!!

[Gropius]

Great post. It's easy to follow my gut when it's warning me about NOT doing something, but harder when it's asking me to try something new. Isn't that stupid? Glad all was safe and you had a beautiful trip. My gut is usually right about funky places to visit and stay. Always glad to do something different and off the beaten path if it involves recreation. Professionally, it's usually a little different...

[Jane]

I'm not that much of a risk-taker. I think the Guiness Shake is about as risky as I'd ever get! Seriously? It was good?

[Diane]

Hmmm, nice photo! My instinct (or rather moral compass) tells me to never call in to work sick unless I am actually sick. And I seldom get sick, so therefore I'm at work every day unless I schedule a day off in advance.

Well, last Friday morning I woke up to a dizzy spell. Benign vertigo. But I'd never had it before and didn't know what it was at the time. Scared the dickens out of me. A few aftershocks later, I was concerned enough to follow my instincts and call my boss. Everything worked out fine, thankfully.

:)

[kathryn]

Oh, lovely! Just lovely! I'm SO glad you followed your gut and hit the road, bay-bee!

Sounds like you had a fabulous time! The next time you go, the weather'll cooperate and you'll have all the windows open...cranking up the tunes...I can just see you now!

Lovely new photo, btw!

[Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla]

Great job going with your instincts, Maureen! Lately I've been having all these great life lessons in not over-reacting, or going against what used to be my instinct to react to situations too quickly. Amazing things happen when I let things shake themselves out instead of trying to control everything in the world. I guess, like your weekend, I'm learning (at 50!) to go with the flow. Wasn't I supposed to learn this when I was a teenaged hippie? :)

[Vincent]

Looking at that photo, winter or summer were I trusting my gut you would not find me anywhere near the place.
And having said this there is nothing more certain that I will be standing in that windswept Sq' in the next few years.

[TheKitchenWitch]

Hey, I love your new picture!

It sounds like a lovely trip. And Guinness shake? Sign me up!

[She Writes]

Taking a chance on a relationship that I adore. My gut is a tangled mess :)!

[Erin@theLocalsLoveIt]

Great post. Sounds like you had a good time. I don't take chances very often but I'm trying.

LOVE the new photo! You're gorgeous.

[Kristen @ Motherese]

I'm a total wimp when it comes to driving in the snow, which is problematic given my New England roots and current Midwestern address, and your post made me wonder about how much I've missed out on by canceling plans a few too many times. I'm glad your spirit of adventure was rewarded with a special weekend with your son!

[Kate at And Then I Was a Mom]

I agree. Weather be damned when it comes to children or Broadway shows.

Glad you had a good time. It sounds so good that I'm tempted to copy the entire weekend from scratch for myself.

[Kirsty]

Ooo you were there the same time as my bestie Rachel! Glad you went and enjoyed it!

[Kimberly]

Shut up!?!? A Guinness shake? I love Guinness and I like ice cream, sounds good to me. Might have to try it for St.Patty's day.

Sounds like a great trip. I bet the MOMA exhibit was interesting.

I thought of you this weekend when I saw the new Ewan McGregor movie "The Ghost Writer" which supposedly took place (in the book and the movie) on Martha's Vineyard. Did they do the filming there? It was a good movie if you get a chance to see it.

[Zen Mom]

Ah, I'm a big proponent of trusting your instincts. Whenever I do, which is not as often as I like due to a ton of second-guessing, I never regret it.

Glad to hear you got to spend some quality time with your son. Guinness shakes, huh? Sounds delicious!

[Jen]

It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Not sure about a Guinness Slurpee but to each his own. I'm right in the middle of doing one of those things I am not so sure of doing. I'm scared, terrified actually, but I am encouraged even though many have suggested I can't do it. I'll let you know when it happens.

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

I took a chance and started a photography business. So far it's not going anywhere, but hey, I'll keep at it and see where it goes, right? And at least I still have my real job to fall back on! :-) I'm glad your chance paid off.

[~The South Dakota Cowgirl~]

I love getting glimpses into your life! Someday I would love to see NYC and do some shopping.

There's a lot going on in mine right now, in regards to chances but I can't talk about them here. But one thing I can tell you is that I'm learning to trust myself and believe in myself again, which to me, is taking a chance.

[BigLittleWolf]

Wonderful post! It's reassuring to hear others who listen to their gut, and go for something that is both big and simple - which braving weird weather to get to NY certainly was.

I, too, have occasionally listened to my gut and done something anyone else would've found nuts. The circumstance that comes to mind took place several years ago, and involved the opportunity to meet and interview a renowned artist in his 80s, at a survey exhibition, in Paris. And to write on it for an international publication. I needed to make arrangements for my kids, jam the trip into an extended weekend, and show up at my workplace on Monday as if I'd simply been puttering around the house with my boys for a few days.

I did it. It was exhausting, and beyond exhilarating. The experience of a lifetime. And I was back at my desk and computer as usual afterward, with a little smile on my face.

[Heather]

Glad you went and had a good time, even though it was DANGEROUS!

Truck Driving would be my answer. I was super scared to do it, but so glad I did.