Adjusting Our Rudders

A “clock is a sacrament of the passage of time, a way to note the movement of one day into the next, a method of location in the otherwise uncharted ocean whose two horizons are the past and the future.” This is how John Carroll of the Boston Globe refers to time in a recent column. Carroll then and very importantly adds a caution. He notes “Mariners are fond of saying, especially when the ship unexpectedly runs aground, that the chart is not the sea; similarly, the clock is not time.”

As we enter into the beginning of a new year with one month already to our backs, let us stop and see if our lives match up with our professed beliefs and values. The first place to start on this voyage is your map. What do you believe? What do you have a true passion for? What are you being called to do? What gives you meaning in your life? What leaves you feeling fulfilled and whole? Often we are so busy running here and running there that we do not take time to stop, get our breath and reflect on what it is we truly value and believe. So stop what you are doing right now (Yes, I know that means reading this article.) and sit in silence. Let your body, mind, and soul slow down and relax. In the quiet, begin to think about what your core beliefs are. It may be helpful to have a pen and paper to jot down your thoughts and beliefs. This activity in and of itself can be incredibly challenging and rewarding. Do not rush this process- take time to really think about what it is you believe and value.

Next, stop and reflect on your day to day life and where you spend your money. Does it match the beliefs and values that give you meaning and fulfillment? One lesson that grief’s journey teaches us is that “the chart is not the sea.” We do not know when our last day might be and often live as if it is far beyond tomorrow. Today affords each and every one of us the opportunity to make our lives a meaningful tribute to the loved ones who are greatly missed. Each day is truly a miracle in that we have the opportunity to make our actions and interactions with others be a visible testimony to what we value and believe. Stop and imagine the joy and fulfillment that you would feel if you lived your life in congruence with your values and beliefs.

Today you have been given a gift. That gift is the opportunity to adjust your rudder and steer your life in a new direction. You and those around you will notice a change in spirit as this congruence becomes a part of your life. Let this new spirit be a living memorial to your loved one that you love so much.

–Brian Rodgers