Why is it that when we know the destination, we can still feel lost on the way there?
Feeling Lost on the Way
You know the feeling: excitement, commitment to the destination, and a bold start to moving ahead. Then, you get a feeling of disorientation, of not seeing the next step. You start to doubt, or get frustrated, and worried about getting where you wanted to be. What is happening, and how do you navigate this?
Curves in Life
I grew up in the Midwest farmlands. The terrain was flat, and you could literally see farmsteads around for miles. It was easy to clearly see our small town five miles from the house. So, knowing where I was going on sight alone, or seeing what was ahead, was not difficult. But then I moved to Los Angeles, where there are mountains.
There, when I was on the crest of a pass or near the top of the foothills, I could see a breathtaking panoramic view of what was around – but that didn’t exactly get me where I wanted to be. Such a view helped me know the general idea of direction/route to my destination. But to get there, I had to move, either going down into the valley, or taking a mountain road. Once that happened, it was no longer possible to see that far, even though I was still aiming for where I had planned.
Navigating the Curves
To get where you want, you may find yourself navigating curves, hills and mountains, or going through dense landscapes (corn could be surprisingly tall, but if you prefer, a dense forest). As a result, the route to your destination can’t be straight, because of the hill, the gorge, the building… in short, an obstacle.
When navigating a curve on a hill/mountain, you have to slow down (else your path may be very different than you wanted), and you may see a short distance ahead, but not all the way to the end. When the curves are very sharp (mountain roads), it can be unnerving – paying attention to where you are, what may be coming, being ready to respond to the next turn, and you aren’t sure what more is coming. Frustratingly, you won’t know more until you get around that curve and through the hill to a valley or longer pass.
Just as you don’t always see around the curves or the corners in life, you don’t always see what the immediate future looks like. While this can be frustrating, it is also an opportunity. An opportunity to focus on where you are now, to do your best with navigating the moment, rather than focus on what is to come. When you can’t see past the curve, it doesn’t mean you have forgotten the destination or gotten lost; it’s a reminder to be present with the now.
Be sure to check my other newsletter on the hidden navigation rules we have in our lives, Finding Your New Way
