The Compass & The Clock

By Dick O'Brien M.A.S.c

There are two very powerful symbols in life that represent the personal direction you may take during a difficult moment. These symbols are the compass and the clock. Be aware, not only are they two different symbols, but they are two very different instruments. The compass points to true north when you are lost and the clock tell you what time it is.

Too many people live life by the clock and too few people live life by the compass. Time management, hurried sickness, "to do" lists and running out of time are all matters of the clock. When life throws you a curve and you are hit with a surprise, when you feel tapped out, disappointed or overwhelmed, these are issues for the compass.

I find that I get lost many times in a week and sometimes in just one day. Someone I hurt, some mistake I made, some piece of news I got, or some disappointment I was not ready for can all leave me with a sense of being lost. This is the time to turn to your personal compass for needed direction.

My compass is composed of thoughts, lessons, and reflections that lift my spirit and that I can go to in a difficult moment. Some of these may assist you as well, and you might want to include these in your compass.

They include:

1. Using art and music. There are certain posters and pictures as well as compositions and melodies that renew me every time.
2. Writing yourself a letter on a good day and reading it on a difficult day. This will remind you of a better state of mind that you are capable of having in your life.
3. Writing out a list of the ten most powerful quotes you have ever heard in your life. Go to this when you feel lost for some powerful personal wisdom.
4. Developing a gratitude list. Write out a list of the things you are grateful for in your life and keep it with you. When I am having a difficult day all I have to do is look at this list to remind me of the many blessings in my life. Though my present list has about 62 items on it, I usually can't get past the first six without changing my attitude in that moment.

The Compass and The Clock.

1. Some people live by the compass and others are driven by the clock.
2. The former respond to life, the latter react to life.
3. The former live more in the moment while the latter allow the baggage of the past to become the architect of the future.
4. The former are victors of life and the latter are victims of their schedules.
5. The former are focused on their journey and the latter are fused to their destination.
6. The former defer to their map and the later refer to their planner.
7. The former live life by design the latter live life by default.
8. The former knows where they are going and is enjoying the ride while the latter has been here before and surviving the day.

Instead of managing your time manage your life!

1. Replace the illusion of control with the reality of the frailty of life.
2. Learn to keep the clock on your wrist and the compass on your mind.
3. Let your personal compass determine the use of your time and don't let the clock give direction to your life!

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