Our Starting Point
We can’t get to where we are going if we don’t know where we’re at.
One of the most fundamental necessities of moving forward in any quest which we pursue is coming to a clear and accurate realization of where we are right now. Where is our current location in regards to heath, wealth and happiness? As we take an evaluation of the “who, what and where” of our environment the formulation of and exit plan or a map of our journey will quickly begin to unfold.
Just think about this for a brief moment. How do we usually get to our chosen destination? Most every journey begins with a single step. Whether our goal is sobriety, academic credentials, financial gains or even to find the ideal relationship; it all starts with knowing where we are right now. It is essential that we evaluate our current environment, establish our present location and calculate our intended course.
How far will we get if we don’t know where we are? All calculations regarding our destination begin with a clear and concise evaluation of where we are at present. Where we are “Right Now” has everything to do with accurately planning the next step in our journey.
With all our modern science and technology we still are reliant upon knowing where we are before we can get direction to where we want to be. Everything and everyone from the gas station attendant to MapQuest.com will ask us where we are right now. Even the presets on our most advanced GPS systems will ask us for our starting point before it can calculate the approximate time and distance of our intended journey. Actually, satellites will need to track us down from outer space before a GPS can even let us know our current location and calculate the quickest route to our intended destination.
When we are looking for directions we rarely ask a fellow traveler. It is common to ask people who live and work in the place that we are. I’m certain that none of us will approach the family in the minivan with luggage piled up on its roof and “Live Free of Die” license plates attached to it bumpers, “How do we get there from here?”; while we are smack in the middle of “The Sunshine State”. We want to speak with those who are familiar with the area. Someone from out of town will most certainly find us the most difficult way to getting from where we are to where we want to be or get us even more lost than we already are. Even that telephone to a close friend or relative can’t help us if we don’t know our current location. What is the first question we will be asked? “Well, where are you right now?” If we don’t know the answer to that we will be asked about landmarks, street signs and other characteristics of our present location. Without knowing where to start there is really nothing that comforting voice over the phone can do for us besides advising us to seek out and discover the necessary information from someone else. There is nothing that can or will get us to where we are going if we don’t know where we are at.
Let’s look at addiction and recovery for a moment. What is the first thing we need to establish in order to start off on the road to recovery? Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotic Anonymous and all the other Anonymous organizations of the world have established a crucial starting point in mapping out a destination free of addiction; “My name is … and I am an addict.” You see if we don’t know there is a problem we can never find the solution. Failing to locate our current location on this infinite path of ascension will only prove to bind us in our own ignorance. The realization of a life of sobriety will rarely be experienced if we choose to ignore reality and convince ourselves that we are where we are not.
Imagine trying to get to where we are going from somewhere we are not. How efficiently could we travel by following a map from New York to Los Angeles when we are sitting in the middle of Houston? This would not be very effective to say the least. So why would we choose to convince ourselves that we can get to where we want to go by creating a false starting point? Many times it is just our Ego getting the best of us. It hates to admit that we have made a mistake, taken a wrong turn and are now totally lost and in need of assistance. Therefore we would rather drive around aimlessly with only the feeling that we are making some kind of headway while our partner pleads with us to stop and ask for directions.
In order to succeed in any journey we must understand the basic elements of travel and transition. There are certain things that will guide us along our path of purpose and assist us in becoming all that we are created to be. Many times it is just a matter of making a few corrections in order to get back on course. Usually we are only a single choice away from getting back on track and traveling freely and efficiently to our ultimate destination.
(Deuteronomy 30:19 New International Version) This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
In faith always,
Ron Ash
The Intuitive Life Coach 