Words that caught us: W is for Wayfinding (Part 4)

 

Part3 of Wayfinding was about

The two big bumps that can slow our progress,

If we fail to lookout for them.

 

When the ground is constantly changing

And shifting,

It is normal to feel like things are spinning

Out of control.

Uncertainty forces us to search for

Things we can trust.

 

Living a full and creative life means 

Our jar must be in constant interaction 

And communication, with other jars;

And that the stuff in our jar

Must also keep moving and shifting constantly.

How then, do we keep our balance?

 

The best way to keep our jar on an even keel

Is to hanker down on our values.

 

We must decide what's non-negotiable.

 

Only then, can we muster the courage,

To say ‘no’ to all the distracting sand,

That doesn't serve our cause.

 

Only then, can we muster the faith,  

To venture on a different path.

 

Only then can we look at society in the face

And tell it to f*ck off!

 

We are constantly battling pressures from all directions - 

From our parents, partners and friends,

From our neighborhoods and communities,

From established institutions, culture and society,

From national, regional and global systems –

And these forces are ready and willing

To make the choice for us, if we let them –

In which case, we lose our agency,

And the opportunity to chart our own course.

 

If we really want to retain our freedom of choice

And agency,

We have to fight for it,

And the best way to do that,

Is by grounding ourselves, firmly,

On un-shakable values.

 

Whatever we decide to put into our jar,

What stays there,

What goes out,

And what effect and influences 

We decide to make or accept from other jars,

Will all depend on the values we've chosen,

To rule our jar.

 

Our values are the constitution

We govern ourselves by,

And it's only us, who can write,

And enforce it.

 

The values we choose

Is what will guide and determine,

Where we end up.

And that's because, in times of VUCA,

Direction is more important than speed!

 

We are anxious and fearful,

And the ground feels like it’s spinning out of control,

Mainly because, we have either forgotten,

Or, abandoned, our guiding stars.

 

What do you value going forward?

What do we want tomorrow?

Do we want more time with our kids and family,

Or, more money in the bank?

Do we want more freedom to create and contribute,

Or, more ease and comfort?

 

If we want different results,

If we want to find our way in and through 

These uncertain times,

We have to start making different choices;

Choices sieved and grounded, firmly, on our values!

 

What are your guiding stars?

What is your true North?