I use the word navigate a lot. I use it to describe how I move through my challenges as I weather the storms of life and hopefully learn something in the process. I use it to describe how I deal with my own emotions, internally, navigating my way back to a place of equilibrium. I use it to describe how I find my way when I feel lost, using the tools I have at my disposal to find my way home. I use it to describe my relationships, and how I guide myself with care and intention through my interactions and communication. If you and I have ever engaged in a meaningful conversation, you may have heard me use this word. I like this word.
The word navigate has varying meanings, depending on the context. Historically associated with traveling by sea or air, standard definitions for the verb include to travel over, across, or along land or water with the use of a map or compass. Some definitions also state to travel with a plan using tools to guide one along the way.
When applied to our daily lives, I see the word navigate in a similar way. To move through an experience using the tools at our disposal. To navigate life with greater intention. To have a plan. To be more consciously aware of how we cope with situations and interact with people.
When I navigate my way my with intention, using the tools I possess, I can avoid getting lost. Or at the very least, I can find my way back to my chosen path should I get pulled off track.
Think about it for a moment. Think of all the things in life you navigate.
You navigate difficult situations. You navigate workplace culture. You navigate challenging conversations. You navigate complicated relationships.
What this really means is placing enough importance on something to approach it with a high degree of care and intention. If something or someone is important to you, perhaps you'll want to invest a greater degree of emotional energy into that thing or that person. It also means living your life more fully present, and leaning into these situations with greater focus and attentiveness. It means utilizing the tools we possess to move through life with greater effectiveness and efficiency.
I think about my role as a father to my two children. I approach our interactions with great awareness and intention. I want to be a supporting, caring, and loving partner to my special friend. It means a lot to me to be fully present in that relationship. In my work, I want to give my clients my best. So I plan for our conversations and use tools I possess to enhance our connection.
In each of these areas, it is my ability to navigate with intention that affords me the opportunity to live my life by choice and not by chance. Especially when it comes to the things that matter most. This doesn’t mean I am “switched on” all the time. Quite the contrary. It simply means I am able to be consciously aware of myself and the impact my thoughts, words, and actions have on myself and others. Especially when it matters.
I recently received a message from someone I hadn’t spoken to in many years. Someone I was once very close to. It was a very honest and heartfelt message, full of emotion and contrition. It hit me hard. I didn’t know how to respond. So I didn’t initially. I wanted to pause and be thoughtful of my reply. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions and respond out of an emotional reaction. So I took a few minutes to craft a message with love, kindness, and thoughtfulness. I want to navigate my way through this reconnection with intention and consciousness.
Ask yourself these questions… how many of your challenges could have been dealt with better had you taken a step back to consider a path and a plan? How many moments of true connection have you missed because you were not fully present? How many times have you spoken when you should have been listening? All of this speaks to our ability (or lack of) to navigate through life more fully awake and aware of ourselves and the emotions that drive our thoughts, words, and actions.
What’s on the horizon?
First off, a big thank you to all my readers and subscribers. This platform has given me an opportunity to express myself and in doing so, connect with so many of you on a regular basis. The conversations I’ve had as a result of these posts have been so incredibly enriching and rewarding. While I really do write for myself first, knowing my words resonate with you on some level feels really good.
So, what’s on the horizon? Well, I am in the process of publishing the Moving Through Life 52 Week Journal. This journal will follow the chapters of my book and will walk you through 52 weeks of writing a daily intention, a daily reflection, and your daily practices. I’ll post more on this in the coming weeks, but please stay tuned!
I’m also working on my next book. While it doesn’t have a title yet, I can tell you it’s in response to, and was inspired by, the numerous men who have reached out to me as a result of reading my first book, Moving Through Life. Some men are suffering. Some men feel lost. Some men are seeking something. Some men are lacking connection. I want to write about that. I also want to write about those men who have found a way and tell their story, share their wisdom, and learn from their lessons. Men need connection, conversation, and community. My hope is that this book helps men find that.
If you are curious about these upcoming projects and want to know more, please reach out and drop me a message. I’d love to have a conversation and learn more about you. This is what inspires me to keep writing, keep sharing, and keep connecting.
Invitation
Thank you for taking the time to check out my Substack. I’ll be posting more content and sharing my thoughts on all things related to the human experience as well as topics focused on men’s health and well-being. If you’d like to know more about me, my coaching practice, upcoming workshops, or you’d simply like to connect, feel free to reach out to me directly at joe@unum1.ca. Or, visit my website for more info.