Summary: I don't know what I'd do without Mapquest or the "map app" on my phone. All I have to do is type in the address where I'm headed, and voila! The map appears in front of me, and an invisible voice guides me to my destination. Amazing. If only I had a compass for every decision I had to make. Like where to turn when a relationship blows up. Or how to navigate a stressful medical crisis. Or what to do when my job hits a dead end. It would be nice to have voices around to guide my way then. But what if we do? What if we do have voices helping us find our way? All Saints Day suggests that they're here for us, if we're listening. And they just might offer a tip or two along the highway of life. The saints of the past: we may not think of them often, or imagine they offer much for our challenging times. But research begs to differ. Though it's important to appreciate the present--to stop and smell the roses and live in the moment ... and though it's important to look to the future with hope--to work hard, set goals ... awareness of the present and future aren't the most important predictors of a satisfying, meaningful life. Instead, extensive studies show that our most important orientation toward time is a positive appreciation of the past. The more we savor memories of relationships and let go of grudges ... the more we connect to our roots and let go of our forebears' failings ... the more we treasure their legacy and let go of the myth that we are self-made: the stronger our sense of a positive past, the better grounded and centered we will be. In fact, the more crazy and stressful our circumstances, the more the past helps us navigate our way.[i]
