Inner Compass

As I walk, usually in the morning, I am fascinated by where I am in relation to the rising sun.  The sun is constant, rising in the east, and during my walk I find myself, north, south, east, and west of this constant.  The photo above is of this morning’s sun, rising in the east, although over the mountain range south of where I was standing.  It would be very difficult to arrive at a specific destination without the constant of the sun. 

This trail of thought reminded me that I have an inner compass, an internal constant, that has developed over the years.  It helps me navigate the the chaotic world we live in.  It is a source of peace that has been forged through the years by a relationship network of faith community, family and friends.  It helps to define what takes priority each day.  I do occasionally find myself off course, and with compass adjustments from my network of relationships I can find my way back to the direction I want to take.  

I can tell if my inner compass is working well by paying attention to my attitudes as I go through my days.  When I become aware of fear, stress, restless dissatisfaction or find myself playing the comparison game with others, I know it is time to make some adjustments.  For these I go to my network for help.  

Adjustments require me to be vulnerable to my network.  I am more of an introvert and allowing others to see my weaknesses in order to learn from them is uncomfortable.  Books can be helpful, but they don’t give me honest feedback.  Sometimes I just need to hear what I don’t want to hear and I need my network for that.    

We live in challenging times and I want to encourage you to think about the direction of your life.  If you find things you are not happy with, explore your inner compass and see if yours might need some adjustment.  If you don’t have a trusted network, begin to develop one.  Embrace a journey with God, invest in family members, develop friendships with people who are headed in a direction that you want to go. 

I am convinced that a well maintained inner compass will keep us going is a good direction, providing inner peace no matter how big the chaos around us becomes.  I am also convinced that we need a network of relationships to maintain that compass.  May I encourage you to give some thought to yours?    

Maybe these thoughts will help you to continue with me to press on toward some of your personal goals.  I would love to hear about those goals.  Share with me at middleroselife@gmail.com.