Whilst out running along the River Parrett in Somerset recently, I realised that I had somehow managed to stray from my original path.

I hadn’t noticed where I went wrong or how I came to be where I was – in a thicket of brambles bordered by a large pool of muddy, stagnant water that was left over from the recent floods.

As I stopped, I thought that I could easily just turn around and retrace my steps until I regained my original route – then continue as before.

But I was curious as to where this new track would take me.

I knew the other way: it was a familiar route and took in some nice river views and terrain.

But the new track was unknown territory. The brambles and stagnant floodwater represented an immediate challenge, but beyond that anything was possible.

I decided to go with the new track, pushing through the brambles, crossing a farm gate which had been placed over a river channel and finally emerging into a an area of grassland that was inhabited by a number of surprised cattle, rabbits and deer.

As I ran along, I thought about the decisions we make in life. The well trodden path is familiar and we know what it holds.

As we travel along it unseeing or unthinking, an opportunity may present itself quite by chance.

River Parrett, Somerset

Our initial reaction may be to turn away and continue on our original path.

Stepping outside of our comfort zone can be daunting – there may well be obstacles in the way to negotiate, some of them huge and seemingly insurmountable.

But if we make the decision to try a new path, we may find ourselves enriching our lives beyond what we ever thought possible.