Day 12: Finding North, The Civil Wars

Posted on by audebo

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Growing up is hard. When I left for college (even though it was a short drive from my home) I felt displaced. Not just geographically displaced, but emotionally, intellectually. I was eighteen and starting my new future.

A GPS would’ve been handy. But unfortunately, we don’t get that in life. But it does help to find North.

Day 12: Finding North – The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars know this well. And feeling lost isn’t exclusive to college students. Job changes, moves across the country. Breakups, new relationships. Deaths, births. It would be nice to have a map.

Show me a map that I can hold

one that tells me where to go 

I’ve been there. Remember when you graduated high school and suddenly realized you could basically do anything you wanted? It’s scary. You do your best to figure it out – what are my strengths? And will it pay? And is it the right thing to do?

Who’s gonna take my hand, show me the way?
How long will I have to wait for someday?
Sometimes we seek the advice of other people. Counselors, friends, parents. Maybe they have a map? They do have wisdom, but it’s still your life, and your path. Their map is not your map.
It’s not the sky I’m asking for
I’m just having trouble finding north
I’ve gone as far as I can go
Trying to find something that feels like home
Trying to feel at home is a human feeling. We want to feel like we belong, a sense of community. And it can be jarring when we don’t find it.
Who’s gonna take my hand, show me the way?
How long will I have to wait for someday?
This song consistently asks questions. Who, what, where? And it never answers them. The inner struggle isn’t resolved, and I think that’s as it should be. It’s comforting to know none of us are alone in that struggle.
One of the joys of life is the unexpected. Sometimes we think we want a map, to know exactly where to go. But that might leave out room for detours. A good first step is to know your values, which might be the best “North” you can find.
Map or no map.
https://open.spotify.com/user/12935901/playlist/5yUSi5XSiGipULEynxLH3E?si=5mk2_FvcQnOFJ3XgO5j_1Q

 

 

1 thought on “Day 12: Finding North, The Civil Wars”

  1. Day 17: Polaris – Jimmy Eat World – Mind Over Media
    May 23, 2019 at 12:19 am

    […] talked about the North Star on here not long ago. In poetry and art, it often represents what we are guided or pulled by. I […]

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