As much as I love the Human Compass, the metaphor fails in one important respect.

With a traditional compass, the four points are always consistently present. East is always powerfully East. Same for the West, South, and North.

But with a human compass, sometimes one or more of our compass points will flag, hang limp.

Because of this inconsistency, I often use the Human Compass to assess my compass points—a status check—and strengthen where needed.

You’ll have your own ways to fortify your compass points, actions that work best for the unique being that is You. I’ll share mine as an example. Some ideas will resonate, some won’t. Both are helpful in creating your own strengthening routines.

(None of the links are affiliate links.)

Body: Physically Energized

Oh, poor body. I neglect you so, in favor of my mind. But my body is just as important, and my mind will fail without my body.

Activities that support my body:

• Outdoor walks, moving as if I’m late for an appointment.
• A stretching/range of motion routine.
• Meals that I make.
• No devices after dinner, so I fall asleep easily.
• CrossFit. (Nope. This type of exercise overwhelms my body).

Soul: Emotionally Connected

In this post-COVID (?) world, with so much interaction having moved online, it’s easy for me to go a month without having a face-to-face conversation with someone I care about. Sure, I’m grateful for the Zoom call connections, and as my friend Laurie says, “You need to talk to someone. In person. Put that on your list.”

Activities that support my soul:

• Coffee with a friend (I’ve found I prefer coffee to a meal—we do more talking).
• Bookclub.
• Thinking of something I want to do and asking a friend if they’d like to do it too.
• Volunteering for an organization that matters to me. (I used to reshelve books at the library, but that turned a place I loved into a workplace, so I stopped. I’ve found another organization I want to help, but won’t start until after my April trips.)

Mind: Mentally Focused

I get plenty of mental focus time with writing, creating StoryJoules webinars, and reading. The challenge for me is that my mind gets overstimulated and unfocused.

To calm my mind, I:

• Reduce social media exposure (delete apps, set a timer).
• Meditate using guided meditation, for example, the RAIN of self-compassion by Tara Brach.
• Do something my body wants to do (most often: take a walk outside).
• Vibrate my head, using the Sonic Slider + Boot.

Spirit: Spiritually Aligned

Ever since I left the religious organization I was heavily involved in, I haven’t done formal activities to align my spirit. I do what feels right—for now—for me.

Activities that support my spirit:

• Take outdoor walks without Roxie, noticing what I see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
• Take photographs of nature.
• Sing.
• Read something spiritual or philosophical, usually before bed (Thich Nhat Hanh, Stoicism, or Lin-Manuel Miranda).
• Chant Om (with a chanting meditation, after learning how to do it).

That’s my Swiss cheese map of activities that support my compass points. What works for you? I’m especially interested in ideas that support Soul: Emotionally Connected, as it’s my most challenging point.

That’s all I have to say for now about the Human Compass.

Next week: the Hand (or more accurately, how the Hand and the Human Compass serve two different functions, both essential.

Chewing the Cud of Good

Thankful for people who see my potential.