maps

How many maps can there be? A map for land, and a map for sea. A map for you and a map for me? Mind mapping and a even a map for your life?

Have you ever talked to someone about serious decisions and they offer to help you “map it out”? Map it out on an excel spreadsheet to weight the different options and then making a decision would be easy, they say. Really? I can see how you can map out the objective things, ie: salary, home prices, cost of living, distance to work, distance from family, hmmm….distance is easy to measure and map. What is not easy? Intangibles, secondary gains, emotional attachments, comforts, satisfactions, personality fit…. What numbers do you give them? How far do they translate in distance or add up to in dollars?

Have you ever tried to “map out a strategy” for your career or educational pathway? Some people have it all figured out. You just insert where you will go to school, for how long, for what degree and then what job description or title you will have. Hmmm….another deceptively easy task. Has anyone factored in the twists and turns that occur when you least expect it or what to do when “life happens”? What if you don’t exactly “know” what all of these things are now and don’t really expect to have a destination in mind? Isn’t life more about the journey than the arrival?

Finally, is there anyone else who doesn’t read maps well or just trusts the master “GPS” to get it all squared away while we see where we are going, just one step at a time? I think there are those who like to see the whole route and those who can be satisfied with the place to turn right now- one exit at a time.

If you happen to be like me, we become anxious and less productive when we have to try to find our map tools, create a map, follow a map, stay on a map, keep up with a map and end up on a map.

We are the map-less and un-map-able.:)

We operate by the truth in Dr. Gordon Livingston’s best seller, “Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart” – 30 True Things You Need to Know Now :

If the map doesn’t agree with the ground, the map is wrong.

LIfe’s two most important questions are “Why?” and “Why not?” The trick is knowing which one to ask.

We flee from truth in vain.

Besides, have you noticed that maps have to constantly be updated? And, there are volumes on “how to read the map” and what the symbols are and how to interpret the legend information. If you translate this into the mystery of life- there is a map for each of us, but we don’t have possession of it all at once. We are on it, but we don’t see it. We can choose where to head, but we have no way of knowing what is between here and there. It’s like a treasure map, that is missing some pieces. A puzzling situation. Do we find our treasure along the way or is it waiting at the “X” that we can’t see?

Everyday I am amazed at the perfect results that come from not having a mapped out life. Whenever I find myself struggling with the path before me- wishing I could have chosen a different route or found a better way- something magical happens to let me know I am right on target- right where I belong, doing just what I should be and headed just where I am meant to be. I am right on the “Route 66” frame of mind – the only fiction series written and shot all over America.

I bet they didn’t need a map. They were going where the road took them, finding out things about life and themselves, having fun along the way!! Cute car, huh? I saw a new corvette in a snazzy color combination along the highway yesterday. They still evoke the “going somewhere, but getting there at your own pace” look and have a timeless appeal.

I sort of like that old adage, “Do you know where you are going? No, but don’t worry, I will know when I get there.”