• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » WRITE WITH US » How Being Lost Helped Me Find My Dream Path

in WRITE WITH US

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:

Do what you can – with what you’ve got – wherever you are.

Veronica Jacobsen

 

Related Stories:

  • Shellie and bryan at silverado vineyards napa california
    How Elvis Helped Me Live an American Dream
  • How Goldie Hawn Helped Birth A Pup And Inspired A Screenwriter
    How Goldie Hawn Helped Birth A Pup And Inspired A…
  • How Online Dating Helped Me Realize My Zone of Genius
    How Online Dating Helped Me Realize My Zone of Genius
  • SueLevy_8WomenDream_Poster
    Take Each Dream Lesson As A Path To Achieving Your Dream
Contributor Dream Stories

Enjoy this special 8WomenDream Guest Contributor story submitted by new and experienced big dreamers throughout the world, edited and published to capture a dream perspective from different points of view. Do you have a personal dream story to share with 8WomenDream readers? Click here to learn how to submit dream big articles for consideration.

Note: Articles by Guest Post Contributors may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: WRITE WITH US

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« 90 Percent of Dream Success Is Your Attitude
Impossible Space Dreams: One Small Step for the Dreams of Mankind »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT