I had one of those delightful "a-ha" moments today and thought I would share. For what its worth, I'm getting these "a-has" more and more often. Guess my radar is up.

I use a Garmin GPS system, affectionately known as "Jill" (the default female voice), in my Dodge Durango. Today I was driving to an unfamiliar location, and I missed a turn. Any of you that own a GPS know what comes next, that oft-heard word ..."recalculating."

In a matter of seconds, my course was corrected and I was back on my way to my destination.

Then I got to thinking how nice "Jill" is to me. When I get off course she never condemns or ridicules, she just "recalculates" and gives me revised instructions for moving forward, from where I am; advancing to my ultimate destination.

I like that I don't have to do the whole trip over again, I just adjust from where I've gotten so far. So... no condemnation, no starting over from square one. Always advancing.

For the GPS to function correctly, my part is to put an "exact" destination. I fix the details and then trust "Jill" to get me there.

Up 'til now, I thought hearing Jill "recalculating" was annoying. Today, I'm grateful for new understanding.

Thom, Jill is Sally Sue at our house. What a great thought. Yes, I know that common word. Recalculating. Great thoughts.

The GPS in my car was Maggie (Magellan). Now that there's about to be a new Garmin chartplotter on my boat I'll have to come up with a new name, I suppose!

The best part to me, Thom, is that it doesn't matter where you started from or where you were even 10 seconds ago. You are where you are and that's just fine. Where you are right this moment and where you want to go are the only two points of reference that play into the guidance at all.

One of my teachers (who I won't mention here because of our course agreement not to do that) has been using this GPS metaphor for quite a few years actually, and reminds us that we each have the same sort of guidance within us: our feelings and emotions. And while Wally doesn't refer to it (and couldn't have 100 years ago!), he does remind us to "enter at once into the full enjoyment" of whatever it is we desire to experience. When you do that, when you are feeling good, you can be sure you're heading toward what you want. And the reverse is also true.

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The best part to me, Thom, is that it doesn't matter where you started from or where you were even 10 seconds ago. You are where you are and that's just fine. Where you are right this moment and where you want to go are the only two points of reference that play into the guidance at all.

Yes Rebecca, that's it. My worst critic has always been myself. If I gained nothing else from SOGR, the capacity to see myself as an "advancing person," starting from here, starting NOW, would be worth the price of admission.

I'm smiling, because I see that the formless can and does use things to "surprise" us, even something as innocuous as a GPS unit.

Thanks Thom I get it and love it

I love the metaphor! Thanks!

Thom,

Thank you for sharing. This is a great metaphor.

Love the "always advancing" part

God bless you,

Caroline
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