How Being Lost Helped Me Find My Dream Path

Last updated on July 1st, 2022 at 04:55 pm

finding your dream path

I was away camping with my mom and dad, my two brothers, and their families back in the back woods of Michigan, where there was no cell phone service and no Internet. We all got to enjoy each other while we went fishing, bike riding, and hiking. We sat around many campfires, cooked hot dogs on sticks, and ate lots of ice cream.

There is a tradition in our family: we never go anywhere or do anything without getting lost, and true to family tradition, my brother Larry and I, while bike riding down a very sandy path, ended up deep in the woods, carrying our bikes through the knee-deep swamp with no path in sight.

At one point I felt it was perhaps worth the cost of leaving the bikes and replacing them later not to have to carry them any further, but we persevered. One thing good about being a family that grew up getting lost is, that we are quite good at getting ourselves out of our self-made messes.

We followed the opposite direction of the sun knowing this was the direction of the camp. We came out about a mile from our camp on a small fire road. It was enjoyable being challenged by being lost in the woods and spending time with the brother I was so close with as a child.

I realized there are lessons in how one approaches being lost that can be applied to our dreams

Don’t panic
Panic is your enemy. Take deep breaths, enjoy your surroundings and begin to notice what direction you were going – was the sun at your face – at your back – at your side? Take a while to get your bearings and figure out where you came from and follow that direction back. Think about this the next time you panic about your dream goals and direction – take a deep breath, bring yourself to the present moment, and look where you’ve been.

Use a compass.
If you are a prepared hiker, a compass can help you plot your way to where you need to be. Just like setting goals can be the compass for your dream.

If you don’t know what to do – stay put.
Don’t become more lost and confused by wandering, hoping to find your way. Stay where you are until you are sure of the direction you came from. Not setting goals and not working on a plan for your dream is just like wandering in a forest hoping to find your way out. You will just exhaust your spirit and end up giving up.

Follow a stream or river.
If you come upon a stream or river – follow it downstream. If someone else has enjoyed success at your dream, model your steps after what they have done – follow their stream and it should lead you to a similar place.

Life is to be lived and explored gently. The key word here is live it. The true path to dream success is to live this life, right here, right now . . . gently . . . and forgive yourself if you get lost.

When you’re stuck – go for a walk, take a swim, or eat some ice cream. Love your life, but make sure you bring a compass. And if you don’t, remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt: