ALIGN: Meandering Along the Pathways to Change

Greek philosopher Heraclitus is known for his simple, yet poignant reminder: the only constant in life is change.

This is a fact that I have come to know is inarguably true. The river of life flows and changes as surely as the sun rises and sets each day. But one of my favorite images of the way Heraclitus talks about the experience of change comes as he states that “no man ever steps into the same river twice:” It’s not the same river, and he’s not the same man.

Maybe he was on to something. Rivers, after all, appear to flow on a predictable path, but a closer look tells us that rivers have stories of their own.

Stretching over its 2,340 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the mighty Mississippi River flows steadily downstream. It’s the inspiration for classic American literature like "Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer" and no doubt inextricably linked to what defines the early experience of settlers in the United States. In 1944, cartographer Harold Fisk created a series of maps called “Meander Maps” as part of a (rather dry) task to document the geography of the Alluvial Valley of the Lower Mississippi.

These maps track the behavior of the river over the past 250 years, charting the fluctuations of its wandering banks and meandering course. They paint a stunningly complex (and yet beautifully artistic) picture of the winding routes that follow one of the longest rivers in the world, as it flows from one point to another.

(If you’re interested in learning more, check out this article: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/maps-of-the-lower-mississippi-harold-fisk/)

Without smartphones or GPS, early travelers along the primary river in the United States were left moving with the natural currents and the flow of the river’s course, following its twists and bends to eventually arrive at their destination. Even if maps had been provided, they may have been unreliable; the river’s changing course meant that each journey required a more foundational way to track movement. Sometimes, landmarks might be used, but other times, it's about more foundational guideposts. Even looking to the stars can remind us of where (and who) we are, and where we still want to go.

What’s your north star?

What drives your decision-making?

Do you have a set of core values that support who you are – and help you figure out where you want to go?

Exploring (and establishing) a set of core values serves as a foundation for establishing sustainable success, both in our personal and professional lives.

Much like a moving river, change is a flow of action. Each time we dip our toes in, the experience changes. In charting our own winding pathways of life, shifting our understanding of and relationship to change creates sustainability. Eventually, we can adopt a mindset of being in alignment with change.

When we align ourselves, the right blend of five essential qualities creates a set of core values for supporting a lifestyle that allows us to flow with change. This offers us a clear pathway and a vital recipe for living in and embracing change.

Here are the five core values to help you ALIGN:

A – Authenticity

L – Learning

I – Intentionality

G – Gratitude

N – Nurturing

Although we don’t always know exactly where we’re going (and that’s okay!), it is important to figure out what will help us discover—and choose—our next steps. These essential elements provide important guideposts, helping propel individuals (and businesses) toward enduring growth.

Author and thought leader Adam Grant shares, “The right next move is the one that brings you a step closer to living your core values. In an unpredictable world, you can’t make a master plan. You can only gauge whether you’re on a meaningful path.”

What would the meander map of your life look like?

Are your choices leading you toward meaningful growth?

What resources will you use as you chart your next pathway forward?

ALIGN works like a compass, ensuring we stay rooted in our goals and provide valuable reference points to return to, even if we meander a bit along the way as we venture out into the great unknown. Each of these core values have something important to teach us about who we are and how to navigate and inform our decision-making.

Join me as I dig into each of these core values, discovering what each has to offer us. As we learn to integrate and strengthen them, we are more equipped to overcome challenges and obstacles on our journey, discovering practical steps to integrate the ALIGN model into our lives and work.

There isn't a map or an owner’s manual for change—or for being human, for that matter. But there is comfort in the reminder that venturing out into the unknown is never the end of the story.