I have a confession to make; I have a poor sense of direction. Even if I have driven to a location half a dozen times, I still stand a chance of getting lost. Street names and landmarks do help me find some locations, but they do not guarantee I will get there without a few neighborhood or countryside detours.
Years ago, I kept a map stashed in my car, just so I did not have to call my husband, Chris, for directions. Unfortunately for me, maps only help when you know your current location, which I seldom knew.
About 20 minutes into my trip, Chris would get a call.
“Honey, I can’t seem to find the road I was supposed to turn on, and now I am driving around in circles. Help!”
Then, as if he was anticipating the call, he would calmly assess my location and find the quickest route to my destination. If the trip was more than an hour long, he might get 3 or 4 more calls. After a few years, the whole process became embarrassing for me and annoying for him, so Chris opted to be my chauffeur.
Just about the time we were both tired of Chris driving me everywhere, we got an answer to prayer; GPS (Global Positioning System) technology, which according to nasa.gov was originally invented by the U.S. Navy to assist NASA, became available to the public and affordable. This invention ensured that I could drive to almost anywhere, on land, without getting hopelessly lost.
Sure, it would occasionally send me down scary gravel and narrow roads, but it was a small price to pay for my freedom and Chris’ sanity.
Just like a vehicle GPS, I often need life navigation tools – people and circumstances – to assist me along my journey.
Here are some that keep me moving in a positive direction.
1) My husband and children – If I have a bad attitude, they shine a spotlight on it through their words and actions. If I am in a bad mood, they will be in a bad mood. If I give up, they will start to be discouraged and want to give up. If I am speaking encouraging words, they are happier and speak positive words. In addition, they tell and show me that I am loved and motivate me in personal goals. Their negative and positive actions guide me toward a healthier emotional path.
2) My friends – They provide fresh insight when situations get tough. Since I am personally invested in my relationships and job circumstances, it is difficult to have a clear perspective. Because my friends have an outside view, they challenge some of my narrow or stuck thinking. They help me focus on the most important issues and encourage me to remain flexible with the less crucial matters.
3) My mentors – Sometimes I see myself through clouded eyeglasses. I might be too critical of myself at times but unaware of my flaws at others. My mentors help me see my personality strengths and weaknesses through loving encouragement and gentle corrections. They help me keep forward momentum by challenging me to be my best.
4) Missed opportunities – I used to accept almost every invitation to parties, job advancement, and personal relationships. I felt like I was missing out on something if I didn’t accept them. When you miss opportunities, you experience a let down that eventually reveals free time to devote to more important things. If I blindly accept whatever comes my way, I will be a slave to all of the commitments I have made, rather than allotting my time to the best opportunities. The occasional “no” helps me stay on a healthy path.
5) Financial struggles – Many years ago, Chris and I lived way above our means. We bought many things on credit, and it caused tremendous stress in our home. Back then, we let our financial struggles cripple us, but now we use them as reminders to be wise spenders. If our checkbook is tight, we know that we need to re-prioritize our cash flow.
Each of these items have helped me navigate my life in a better way. I hope you find my list helpful and thought provoking.
What are some tools that help you navigate through life? Do you have a poor sense of direction and rely heavily on your car GPS? I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave them in the comments.