“Getting lost is just another way of saying ‘going exploring.”
~ Justina Chen Headley, North of Beautiful
I’m writing my next book(!!!) and this has me on the lookout for things to fill my comfort zone. I realized one today, my car GPS is a comfort to me. I’m more confident as a person, not hindered by my lack of direction. I consider myself directionally-challenged and have no problem admitting it. I simply don’t have a “big-picture.” In describing driving directions to someone, I give landmarks, not compass points. I have no idea if I live on the northeast side of town or not. Even if I did, that information wouldn’t give me any clue or concept of where I belong.
I do know my neighborhood is across the street from a Red Barn Market and I can tell you how many stop signs you must pass through before a turn onto my street, plus describe the house on the corner not to miss. When Google maps tells me to turn in 50 feet, I have no idea how far that is and will most likely drive past the turn and initiate her announcement, “recalculating.” Sometimes, she is not so nice about it, including the order to “make a U-turn!” I usually know before she does I’ve messed up and don’t appreciate being yelled at.
I must now pass a community swimming pool to drive to my friends house, because the first time I drove there I got lost using GPS I passed a pool. Her house is not near a swimming pool, but its now a landmark I use to turn around and find the right street. Actually, sometimes I can’t remember if the landmarks I see are the ones I saw when I was lost, or the correct turns. Even with the help of Google maps on board, I’m still a challenge, but a brave one!
That’s where a GPS has opened up a whole new world to me. I may still get a little turned around, but when someone asks me to go somewhere I can now agree to meet them with confidence. “Sure, I’ll drive and see you there” is now a go-to reaction. I know I’m not going alone. The little hidden voice plugged-in with an address assures me I can do it! And I do.
I know it's a small confidence, and one my late husband and daughter find completely amusing. They are gifted with a sense of direction that keeps them always pointed in the right direction.
I wish life was as easy as typing in a destination to be given turn by turn directions to reach a goal. We make our own way, setting out with limited maps and no clear view of what's up ahead. There is no Global Positioning System looking down to navigate and survey our position. That’s OK, I wouldn’t want my life to be so tightly controlled. My biggest lessons have come from heartbreak and do-overs. I would never know how brave I’ve become if knew I would never fail. Taking a risk, putting ourselves “out there” gives opportunity to grow and discover that life needs to be lived and passes too quickly. Do you have small comforts that give you the courage to venture out alone?
Our friends; Siri, Google Maps or Waze are but a few taps on a phone to help find your way. They bring confidence and comfort and can always lead you home.
Life has its ups and downs, highways and dead ends, and a final destination. Leave the directional devices for driving, and your heart for all other matters. It will always lead you to love; your family, dear friends or even brighten the day of a stranger, if you reach out and keep moving forward.
Writing Prompt: Think of a time you felt lost. It doesn’t need to be a driving memory, but a time when you didn’t feel confidant or sure of where life was taking you. Describe the situation, and what happened, even if you didn’t learn anything!
Start with the sentence: I learned from being lost…