Life Changing GPS

Yesterday I went to an all day science class for teachers.  We had a geology section, a biology section, and finally a technology section (That's a lot of -ologies on a Saturday).  During our technology training, we were able to check out and learn how to use a hand held GPS--a first for most of us.  We were searching for specific trees that had been pre-programmed.

Before we left to try our luck, the instructor said something interesting as he gave his final instructions for locating our trees:

"When you're using a GPS, you have to first go outside and get a signal--three bars at the bottom of the GPS, showing three references satellites that locate where you are.  After, you can locate your destination, the tree.  In order for the GPS to work (to have the arrow show you which way you're going), you have to be moving.  Now, some people might try walking slowly.  That won't work.  If you are stationary or walking slowly, the GPS won't read it.  You need to just walk and then you can see where you are and adjust where you're going."

Ready, I went outside, got my bars, and squinted at the little screen.  I could see the dot that was "Tree 1" but sure enough, I had no idea where I was in relation.  I picked a tree and just started walking toward it, only to look down and see I was going nowhere near the illusive "Tree 1."  I turned and went the opposite direction.  Now my path showed me going another way--another wrong way.  I changed course again, heading off to some other tree, until finally, I started to get the hang of it and found the tree.

As I thought about it a little later, I had a profound realization.
How often do I spend my life, seeing some "destination" I would like to arrive at (a future goal) and plant my feet firmly on the sidewalk waiting for that magic arrow to show me where to go?  I don't want to start walking in the wrong direction or end up at the wrong tree or mess up.  I just want someone to just tell me and then to do it right (the first time).

I have discovered recently in a new (but very real way) that most of the time in life, ANY time there is a big decision or a goal or some sort of uncertainty, the only thing to do to make any sort of decision or progress is to find something that might work (pick a tree, any tree...) and start walking toward it.  It is only as we take action--not slow, timid baby steps, but rather confident strides--that we will clearly see if it's the right direction or not.  Within a good five steps, I could see if my arrow was getting closer to my final destination or not and could adjust accordingly.

I will be the first to admit that my pathway to "Tree 1" went just about every direction it could have and at times I wondered if I even knew what I was doing with the GPS or would figure out how to read it, but with time, I started to see HOW to use the tool I'd been given and get to where I wanted to be.

Had I stayed rooted to the ground, however, waiting for something to tell me where to go, or some arrow to appear, I would have been stuck there getting nowhere closer to my end goal while everyone around me, through trial and error, would have wandered around like maniacs, but finally found their trees.

Rather than being afraid of choosing the wrong path, I am now choosing simply to CHOOSE a path and take it from there.  Progress comes as we move, even if we don't get it right the first time.  After all, who ever said we had to?  In the end, it's just about making it to the tree.