The past is sometimes like a compass covered in thick dust and grime, in order to find our way we must clean it off to see our direction and keep it clean for future use.
I came up with this analogy one day when watching the famous Pirates of The Caribbean movie. In the film, Johnny Depp’s character Jack Sparrow carries around this grimy, black magic compass that others believe is broken and useless, but he knows it leads to some great treasure far out in the open ocean.
Unlike an ordinary compass, Jack’s magic compass pointed to what the owner wanted most, rather than mere magnetic north.
We have to trust in the direction we have chosen, even when others tell us we are misguided and wrong. This is the internal compass that we all have in us. It is the only thing that can navigate the open seas of life, which can become quite frightening and baffling at times.
The way we recognize this direction in our lives is by having trust in the path we currently walk on, and seeing signs that give us confidence it is the right path. And also in paying attention to the present moment.
The moment we become distracted by all the other compasses in life is the moment we stray from our true path. These can include entertainment, consumerism, popularity, workaholism, and various other pursuits that don’t align with our passions.
I encourage you to consider where your internal compass guides you. What are the signs that let you know you’re on the right or wrong path?
In other words, what are you seeking? What do you want most? List those directions in a journal or in your phone right now.
Then look back on that list next week, next month, and next year to see if those directions are still the same as you originally intended. Those that are the same are what we need to focus on, and those that are not we should abandon.
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