April 27, 2022
Wellfleet Cape Cod Pastel Drawing by Amanda Snyder Cathey
"It matters not how straight the gait, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." Invictus/William Ernest Henley
Life is full of many confusing crosscurrents right now. Many conditions seem in confusion, disarray, uncertainty and chaos, making our personal life choices more challenging.
Crosscurrents can either strengthen your resolve or blow you off course. It all depends on how well you navigate the waves.
In life we hit crosscurrents from time to time, where circumstances interfere with our chosen direction. Successful people recognize these periods as rerouting opportunities, reassessment periods, or times to keep a tighter hold on the helm of your ship in order to reach your desired destination.
During crosscurrents there may be new opportunities, new obstacles or confusing situations with no immediate solution. Perhaps cherished goals have lost steam or taken a back seat to some problem needing immediate attention.
Reassess your goals. Do you like the route you are traveling? Is it important to you? Is there something missing? Is there an adjustment you need to make? Are you being true to yourself? Have changes along your path diverted you from your true goals. Are you enjoying yourself? Is there some new activity or action which looks interesting to try? Do you need a break? What are your goals? Do you have any? Make some!
Perhaps your goal is to live well and raise a happy family. Maybe you want to spend retirement pursuing activities you love? Perhaps you want to pursue an education to enable you to succeed at a desired career. Maybe you have nagging health or personal issues you want to heal? Whatever your goals, ask yourself if your routines, behavior and actions support those goals?? If you decide that your goals are worthy and desirous, RECOMMIT and hold steady through choppy waters.
Maybe your sailing has been too smooth, too monotonous, too tedious. Maybe your life or routine has become humdrum rather than peaceful. Maybe you are simply restless rather than engaged. Perhaps you need to change things up a bit? Take some calculated risk? Do something daring or bold? Sometimes simply trying a new activity can breathe new life into your routine and resolve.
It seems we are living in an age of crosscurrents, testing all of us to get clear about what we value and to take steps to assure those values are being expressed in our personal lives and community. We cannot take anything for granted. To preserve what we value, we must be certain our voice is heard by how we live our lives and by what we demand from our communities.
Ride the rippling waves. Enjoy the challenge. Ask your higher power for help and navigate with a firm resolve. The crosscurrents will eventually yield to calmer waters and your sincere focus will navigate you through these rough waves to success.
