Marco Polo Navigation


Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone


It has started to really bother me that when I’m driving, I do not have a good sense of direction. Almost invariably, when I’m in not-so-familiar territory and am faced with which way to turn, I make the
wrong choice. Unfortunately, my hunch is incorrect. Sometimes I’ll even choose the direction I don’t think it is—and I’m still wrong. What are the odds of this happening over and over? Irrational or not, I’ve started to believe that there is another kind of left—or right—conspiracy out there, keeping me from getting where I need to be.
    Of course, underneath my annoyance is my disappointment in my instincts. In most other ways, I trust my gut feelings and allow them to be my guide. I’m grateful that the little voice inside my head is so often right. But it is just not trustworthy when it comes to road navigation. No, evidently that is when my little voice chooses to nap.
    So after a recent wrong turn in Sacramento, my frustration at its peak, I gave my “problem” a good hard look. I finally asked myself, is it that I really don’t have a knack for figuring out how to get places, or is it that I find the process to be tedious, burdensome and unfulfilling, therefore a skill I do not nurture? For many reasons (including pride, ego and what my kids think), I decided it was the latter. Several factors support my case.
    For starters, I’ll say that when I’m a passenger, I’m just a passenger. It’s the perfect way to travel. Unless asked for assistance, I consider myself off-duty. Frankly, I’m relieved not to be the one in charge. During that time, I am not studying street names, tricky intersections or twice-named exits. Oh, no; I am in full-fledged passenger mode, appreciating the real scenery (trees, mountains, homes, shops) with a freedom to converse or daydream to my heart’s content. However, experience has proven that with that frame of mind, one misses out on a lot of future navigating tips.
    I realize that life’s successes, small or large, have less to do with what we are capable of and more to do with where our heart is—where our interests lie. Simply put, we are good at things we enjoy, and we enjoy things that we are good at. Whether it is in our gardens, our jobs or even our marriages, it is the effort, interest and commitment that make the real difference. And admittedly, I exhibit none of these during my Marco Polo driving excursions.
    The fact is, there are too many important life demands or responsibilities that don’t fall into the category of preferred interests, natural talents or pleasure. But we are often in situations that require us to stretch ourselves past what comes easily to us and rise to challenges outside our comfort zone. Consequently, when we do step up to the plate and are forced to sharpen our wits and become more self-reliant, we end up experiencing a surprising level of personal gratification. Isn’t this what we tell our children, and isn’t it what we know is true?
    We also know that enthusiasm or heartfelt interest cannot be taught. But repeated and earnest efforts can breed successful results, which can, in turn, produce confidence and future encouragement. Still, in addition to doing what we must and striving for competence in all-important areas, we can’t ever stop gravitating to what we’re naturally good at, to what we enjoy, to where our passions lie. That would certainly take all the fun out of life.
    For me, I’ve decided to exert more effort and energy in the world of navigating sans MapQuest. But when I do find myself a little bit lost, I know it’s the result of my own choices and simply the price I have to pay for sometimes just enjoying the ride.                           

E-mail Gina Jaber at ginajab@yahoo.com