Guide
noun
ˈgīd
1
a
: one that leads or directs another's way needed a guide for the safari
b
: a person who exhibits and explains points of interest The museum guide was very helpful.
c
: something that provides a person with guiding information used the stars as a guide to find their way back
d
: signpost sense 1
e
: a person who directs another's conduct or course of life
He was my mentor and guide during the early years of my career.
verb
guided; guiding
1
: to act as a guide to : direct in a way or course He guided us around the city.
2
a
: to direct, supervise, or influence usually to a particular end You'll need a lawyer to guide you through the legal system.
b
: to superintend the training or instruction of A respected educator guided his studies.
Dear Friend,
Life has been strange lately. Can you relate? It seems to me that fall likes to bring its own brand of chaos, which can be difficult to navigate.
I was recently on a boat trip with my American uncles, whom I don’t get to spend a lot of time with. While there, I spent most of my time at the helm, driving the boat. Before this experience, I had barely been on a boat, let alone having any idea how to drive one. Probably, if someone asked before the trip if I wanted to drive, the answer would have been “No way!”.
But there I was, day after day, doing something I had never done before, and in fact, doing it with confidence and ease.
My uncle, more experienced in the seas and in life, allowed me to learn the feel of the boat with minimal instructions. His calming presence guided me, even though I had no idea what I was doing.
As I later found out, he spent a lot of this trip internally panicking. Being responsible for 13 lives, I completely understand.
I, for one, was mostly at ease. Precisely, because of my lack of experience, I had no idea of all the things that could go wrong, so I felt as though I had nothing to worry about. I was unsure about the safety precautions and was pretty sure that my Uncle would let me know or outright stop me if I wasn’t doing the right thing.
I asked him countless times: "Am I doing alright?" "Is this okay?" "Is this the right thing to do?" His seemingly calm presence and assurance allowed me to remain calm and confident.
Later, I was reflecting on how it was so easy to do something that, in any other situation, would have scared me half to death.
I realized I was able to do it because of the confidence he had in me. I felt, even though I didn’t know what I was doing, that being in the presence of someone who did and who trusted me to do it anyway was why I was so capable.
I’m now entering a new, much scarier situation. My life is about to undergo a radical change, and I am feeling a lot less confident about it than I was driving the boat. I don’t feel capable.
However, writing this post for you is reminding me that there is always a presence surrounding me. One that knows everything, believes in me, has my back, and supports me in difficult situations. This presence might be called God, Love, Spirit, Presence, the Universe, or anything else you believe in.
Like my Uncle on the boat, there is someone beside me, guiding me gently and calmly, ready and willing to take over if at any point I can’t handle it.
Though it is harder to trust an unseen presence than a human being. I am going to practice it and remind myself of all the many things I have done in my life that I have not felt capable of.
I will be brave and trust that there is something that has my back, even though I have no idea what I’m doing. And maybe, just like on the boat, not knowing all the dangers and outcomes can fill me with a sense of freedom and ease instead of fear.
So, no matter how rough life’s waters are, there is always a presence, guiding us forward and calmly allowing us to steer the ship of our life. If we relax and find comfort in knowing that our guide will interfere whenever we need it, all will be okay.
I’ll be practicing that trust this month. I hope you’ll join me.
I love you.
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