Paving the Way - Part 2

With the advent of readily available global positioning satellite technologies it has never been easier to plan a trip, and finally there is officially no excuse for a man to be lost and too proud to ask for directions when all he has to do is tap a little back-lit touch-sensitive monitor and wait for that comforting voice to tell him when and where to turn. The little machine can even make course corrections when things come up along the way. Unfortunately we have yet to invent a machine that can tell us the best route to our life goals and help us to adjust our plans when things don't exactly work the way we had hoped they might.

Still, when we apply the Divine Mind to our situation we have enough information at our disposal to chart a course that fits our individual needs.

Historically I have found it far too easy to back down from what I considered trivial tasks, even to the point of quitting when the slightest effort on my part would have guaranteed completion and success. I have since trained myself to bear in mind the benefits awaiting me for staying the course, and choose to value each step along the path for its potentially positive effect on my perception of my goal.

Before I can pave the way I must lay a foundation of ground rules.

• I must not allow myself to quit, no matter how insignificant a task may appear to be.
• I must not allow the things that I do for relaxation and entertainment to distract me or take precedence over the tasks that bring me closer to the fulfillment of my goal.
• I must be flexible and allow for course corrections along the way.
• I must maintain good morale for my own sake and the sake of my family, choosing contentment over dissatisfaction at every opportunity.
• I must purposely appreciate the journey.
• I must, in everything I do, set an example for my son and maintain a standard of excellence in the accomplishment of my tasks.

Now I can begin to chart the course.

This is not an admission of inadequacy, rather a statement of fact, but I cannot simply draw a straight line between where I am and where I want to be. The terrain must be surveyed in advance to avoid potential pitfalls. I need to be well aware of any possible dead ends. I must ensure the availability of all of necessary amenities along the way, be it food, shelter, rest, or relaxation, and I should avoid plotting any leg of the trip that would take us so far from civilization that we might not have access to them at any given moment. I must consult with those who have already reached that destination and trust their wisdom and experience as I pave my own way.