February 4th, 2025

Recently, I have been reminded of the fact that I have been looking for a new direction heading in my personal life. Naturally, it makes me feel like I am at a crossroads. On and off for a while, I have felt a bit worn, tattered and like I’m without a primary use or a real cause. Even though I have been inside of the unknown an abundance of times in the past, it doesn’t mean that disorientation can’t still strike.

I’m certain that I have not ended up where I’m meant to be yet for my primary source of good and impact as a leader. It can result in a disconcerting mind. Inside the perspective of the wanderer, one begins to question what or who they are. The idea of that concept can cause a myriad of things to ensue such as mental hyperactivity and fatigue, a shift in efforts or priorities, and a construct of hiatus. It can certainly be interesting.

However, I’m also reminded that it wasn’t long ago when I had a dream one night. I was observing myself in a new land that reminded me heavily of the colonial settlement of Jamestown in Virginia. I was tasked with leading people in this strange land. I saw myself take a moment to reflect and find solace. Shortly after, I began giving direction to those people.

Within a couple of weeks, I had separated people into different jobs or tasks based on their strengths. Construction had started in the settlement. A group of people had been designated to act as explorers and scouts to aid in navigating the new land. I assigned leadership roles and decided which duties were appropriate for each. Pretty soon, I found myself faced with fighting fires from all axes.

Fighting erupted between the settlers. I found creative solutions to diffuse the issues or deal with the problem parties. A couple of people challenged me for my title. I found a way to cleverly foil them. I had to ensure I held the trust and confidence of the fellow settlers intact with a “we are one” mentality. The explorers came running back explaining that a hostile group of people was on their trail. I began planning. I had a strong message waiting for these men who thought they were going to raid the settlement. After a while, the men came out of hiding. I found out that this group of men had taken natives captive and threatened to harm them. I came up with a way to fake surrender and “take care of” the group of men. Afterwards, the settlement ended up trading and harboring peaceful relations with local natives. Things had been better than ever in the new land. This is when I finally woke up.

After thinking about this dream for a little while, I realized what it meant.The main take away was to hold onto the basics. In the dream, one thing after another started happening. I was able to deal with those predicaments for two reasons. It was because of the tools I had been equipped with as well as expertise and knowledge I had gained. My spirit was what kept everything together in the process.

The strange land was a metaphor for uncertainty and disorientation. I now feel like I can learn to trust and have confidence in the basics and what I have gathered along the way. I may not know where I am at any given moment or why I end up in a situation. However, I am still the same person that has accomplished so many other things. I was the trailblazer before. I’m the trailblazer now. Sometimes, people end up forgetting that they have certain tools and knowledge when everything else is new or different to them.

King and Badham (2018, p.4) suggest a mindfulness approach at least in part to deal with the current day mysteries and frustrations of leadership. I don’t believe that it’s a fix all solution. However, I think that this can definitely help with one’s situation as a leader if they practice. It has assuredly helped me as an individual. It has made the turning tides of uncertainty less abrasive.

One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is this… If you find yourself at a crossroads or not knowing what comes next, look inward to the qualities you have as an individual. If your endeavor does not take you to your destination or you find yourself in a period of wandering, there is only one thing to do.

Dust off your shoes. Find your next heading.

-Ryan