Good…And Lost
True story, I took this photo of a creepy looking ship in the fog near Vancouver
“...aye we’re good and lost now, lost, for certain you have to be lost to find the places that can’t be found else ways everyone would know where it was.”
That's my favorite line from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. In that scene, the seasoned pirate Captain Barbosa is sailing in search of Davy Jones's Locker, the abyss of the sea. Unfortunately, the crew has no direction or wind in their sails in the dead of night. They wonder if the captain is guiding them in the right direction. He is, after all, a bit mad. He has a wild look in his eye and doesn't appear to be disturbed by the lack of light. In the crew's minds, they are lost and will never reach their destination. At this point in the story, Captain Barbosa utters the words, "Aye, good and lost..."
Moments later, they hear the sound of rushing waters as their vessel takes speed into the terrifying unknown.
Good and lost are not words I would typically put together. They seem at odds with each other. For most people, feeling lost, displaced, and forgotten are not feelings we would seek out on our own. But inevitably, we all come to a place where the next steps are unknown. It could be the loss of a job, a loved one, a community, or even a dream.
Having lost all of these at various points in my life, I know it's heartbreaking. As I write this, I'm coming to terms with the fact that our church community recently decided to close. I think we did the right thing. My faith informs how I interact with the world and defines me. My community plays an important role in that. I also have an appreciation for some routine. I find it comforting.
My family and I have not planned out our next steps. Where will we go now? Are we ready to start all over again? Is there a place where we'd fit in?
We're good and lost. Here's what I've learned from past experiences of feeling lost.
If you're feeling lost, you may not know which direction to go, but you can determine how you will act. First, ask yourself, what do I value? What's important to me?
For example, I value family, generosity, wisdom, quality, and peace. Therefore, I can make small steps in any direction that honors my core values. What you don't want to do is compromise your values while you're feeling lost. There's a time and place to make radical changes, but not at the expense of those closest to you and certainly not at the cost of your self-respect.
I've also taken time in periods like this to consider my options and be open-minded. My experience has been that there are so many possibilities to consider and remain true to my values simultaneously. It can feel very liberating. There are so many examples of great experiences that I've stumbled into due to being lost. Give yourself the freedom to consider the possibilities.
Another thing that I've learned is to remember that you're not alone in feeling lost. There are more people in the same boat as you. Schedule that coffee, and talk it out with friends. Don't be lost alone. Keep your crew together, and keep sailing.
Friend, I have no idea if this has made any sense to you. But my hope is that you'll feel a bit less anxious about being "Good and Lost."