I Hate Getting Lost.

I hate getting lost.

I hate admitting it, when I get lost.

Before GPS devices became a normal part of our lives, getting lost was much more common – I remember so many times when, much to my embarrassment, I got lost:

Lost in a new city.

Lost in a new job or position.

Lost in harm’s way, knowing danger was near.

Lost in a forest/desert/mountains, unable to find reference points.

Lost in a foreign country in fear of my surroundings.

Lost when others were depending on me.

Lost in the dark when each step was critical.

Lost in the noise and chaos of a crowd.

Lost in new or unfamiliar processes.

So, there is some good news – every time I got lost, I learned something and I grew a little bit – I was able to be a better navigator of environments and conditions as a result of being lost – getting lost, and working through my lost conditions actually helped me in the long run, if (a really big ‘if’) I was able to manage being lost without making things worse – making things worse may look like:

Panic – fear – unwarranted haste – failure to rely on basics of the environment – temptation to compromise – listening to unreliable or unfounded guidance, etc., etc.

There are basic truths and rules for all environments and conditions – leaning heavily on those truths and rules was the best way for me to find my way out of being lost (plus learn and grow a little).

These days, many of us may feel lost in the current political, social, medical, and economic state of our nation – I know I would prefer more clarity without all the conflict – perhaps, we need a national level GPS for our nation’s current lost condition – we just seem to be lost in all the noise, all the opinions, and all the misinformation – today, being lost nationally might look like:

Lost in deafening sound bites which carry no plans or policies.

Lost in agenda driven press/news organizations.

Lost in one sided booming voices that only address half of our nations challenges.

Lost in inexplicable inequality.

Lost in an inability to see more than one side of a situation.

Lost in possible lack of empathy for fellow citizens.

Lost in misinformation from medical and economic experts, politicians, and news organizations.

And, lost in Christian communities, also divided by agendas (really sad).

Selfish as I am (and I am very selfish), it is not enough for us to just save ourselves or find our own way – because, (tragically) failing to consider each other seems to be the growing trend – this trend can only lead to more division and being even more lost.

So, just like being physically lost, we could lean on basic truths and rules to find our nation’s way out – we could encourage others to do the same – I believe we have a responsibility to remember these truths and rules and leverage them with a stronger commitment for the greater good – I believe we have this responsibility because we (you and I) are the ones who got ourselves lost – it’s up to us to find our way out.

Presidents, politicians and policies come and go – economics and taxes are fair weathered friends – the rich will always take care of the rich.

So, what are we to do – our task is to remember the truths and rules for basic human existence.

Not truths and rules associated with politics, economics, or news media – no, our truths and rules are to….

…Vote in elections.

…Vote with our purchase power.

…Let our voices be heard against injustice and inequality.

…Be helpful and caring.

…Show empathy and concern.

…Let our Faith (not religion) be our standards.

…and be the person our Creator intended us to be.

These are our truths and rules regardless of political affiliations, economic standing, social agendas, or religion – if our politics, economics, social agendas or religion don’t support these truths and rules…

…it might be time for a change.