Recently I journeyed uncharted waters. I began the journey with confidence. I didn't know what I didn't know, and my journey was bumpy at best. Can we plan for uncharted waters--can we plan for journeys that are new to us and others too?
Our response to COVID-19 was one of those uncharted waters. Most of us were unfamiliar with a pandemic journey. What should we do? Who do we look to for leadership? What shouldn't we do? I consulted multiple authorities via reading, watching, and conversation for leadership. While, for the most part, I charted the course well, there were a number of missteps as loved ones, friends, and I problem solved and made decisions about safe gatherings, work protocols, vaccines, and more.
In many ways dealing with loved ones with dementia has been an uncharted path too. I knew very little about dementia prior to embarking on this journey. I didn't know about all the problem solving involved, and definitely made some missteps. Now, with good guides and better awareness, the road is a little easier, but still quite a mystery.
So how do we traverse these uncharted waters and paths in life? What can we do to make our journeys successful?
First, a healthy sense of curiosity, wonder, and positivity helps. Have an open mind, be ready to learn, and definitely embrace a spirit of collaboration to use with those you travel the path with including loved ones, colleagues, experts, and others.
Next, reserve judgement. These new, uncharted waters of life have multiple paths and a lot of unknowns. As people travel new paths, a lot of discovery happens. A lot of missteps and error happen too.
Bring your best character and good values with you. Travel the waters with love, care, kindness, honesty, and a willingness to do your part. Don't worry too much about what you don't know, but instead try to learn more so you can travel with a good as possible understanding of where you are going, what you are doing, and why.
Be a good companion on the journey. Listen, work together, offer support and positivity, and do what you can to help out.
Don't project or conjecture, instead ask questions to understand the truth of the matter.
Right now, we are watching our country travel multiple uncharted waters as we deal with the pandemic, withdraw from Afghanistan, decide what to do about dark money and corrupt leaders, and make laws and spend collective dollars to uplift lives. I will also have many uncharted paths ahead in my life. I want all of us to travel these roads with dignity, care, and good effort--I don't want our travels to become mired in conflict, hate, harm, or hurt.
We can travel uncharted waters well. We have to expect them to happen, and be open to the paths ahead with as much positivity, care, good values, and good character as possible. We can do this.