Ye have compassed this mountain long enough; turn you northward. – Deuteronomy 2:3 (KJV)
You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. – Deuteronomy 2:3 (NASB)
The above verse (the bottom one) accompanied an edition of an inspirational newsletter I subscribe to. The newsletter was about an actual mountain and an actual situation of losing track of where the path was. Sounds like something I’d do, if we were to be honest. My sense of direction is akin to bat’s sense of sight.
The quote really resonated with me. I grabbed my Bible, just out of curiosity to see how it was worded in the King James Version. It resonated just as strongly and, at least in my opinion, sounded even more lyrical. Both versions of the verse are now written on a large index card and hang over my computer desk along with a few other quotes that I find to be exceptionally inspiring and motivational. Another card nearby says, “Nothing will work unless you do. – Maya Angelou”
I can’t tell you how many times Dame Angelou has kicked my butt with those words. I’ve been know to literally say, “Yes, Ma’am,” as I get back to work.
The beautiful mountain verse is also incredibly inspirational. The words serve as powerful reminders to know:
- When it’s time to give up.
- When it’s time to try a new approach.
When it’s Time to Give Up
I know it may be strange to see me, the queen of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” mention the words giving up in a positive light, but let’s face it. Sometimes it’s time to give up! For example, some people hang on so tightly to the PAST or to their Pre-conceived vision of the FUTURE that they waste today. There are few things in the world any sadder than wasted time or un-cherished moments. I hear from people almost daily who are sad becuase…
- Their marriage has ended.
- Their “nest” is empty.
- They lost their job.
- They can’t have children.
- The face they see in the mirror isn’t the one they saw 1o years ago (isn’t that a pip?)
The list goes on, because unfortunately none of us make it out of this world unscathed or unburdened. The first thing I always tell people is that they have every right in the world to feel sad, disappointed, angry.. or any other emotions they feel. We can’t help how we feel, after all. BUT, we can help how tightly we hang on to these feelings.
The spouse who’s marriage has ended who keeps looking at old photographs and listening to old songs, for example. They hang on to the past so tightly, they’re squeezing the life out of the present – and nothing leads to a dead future faster than that.
How about the empty-nester who keeps wanting her children to be little again?
A. That’s not going to happen.
B. Why in the world would you want it to? They can change themselves now!
On a smaller scale, think about the baby boomers who are still trying to look just like they did when they were in their twenties?! I’m the first one to say that a woman or man should wear whatever they darn well want to wear. All I hope for is that they aren’t tacky – and if they are, that they’ll stay out of my line of vision. However, there’s a lot (a whole lot, actually) to be said for dressing in a manner that’s becoming to you. If someone sends you a memo saying that the 70’s wants its clothes back or the 80’s wants its mullet back… you might not be as becoming as you are just becoming a joke.
Relationships can also make people dig their feet in deeper when they should simply move on. Bad, dysfunctional relationships rob your life of positive energy, fun, and its very breath. Some people waste years trying to make a lousy relationship un-lousy when lousy is all the relationship can be.
You have to know when it’s time to turn north. Going in circles doesn’t get you anywhere. It just keeps bringing you right back to the starting point – the very definition of insanity and the picture of wasting the life you’ve been given.
When it’s Time for a New Approach
Oh, geez. Time to tell on myself. I hate when that happens – but I get into so darn much stuff and make so many mistakes that I beg to be used as an example! Due to a thyroid that no longer exists (literally), I have to watch my weight like an obsessive hawk. Problem is, I’m not an obsessive hawk. I’m more of a laid-back dove – and one that’s very, very fond of eating.
Imagine the trouble that gets me into.
The problem was under control for the most part until the past few years. Until recently, pounds would creep up and I’d simply walk further and more often until I was back in fighting form. However, for some reason (it couldn’t be age, could it? Surely not.), the routine just isn’t working as beautifully as it once did.
This dilemma was in the forefront of my mind, actually, on the morning when I read the verse. It jumped off of the computer screen, got in my face, and demanded, “So. Just how long are you going to keep doing the same thing, while expecting different results? How long are you going to keep dialing the same number and expecting a different answer each time? How long are you going to keep circling the same mountain?”
After writing the verse down on an index card, I immediately began to go over every single thing I ate and drink. I researched the number of calories I was actually burning during my 30 minute walk each day. Turns out, not nearly as many as my feet thought we were. They had me convinced we were “torching calories” when, in fact, we were just kind of slapping them on the wrist – and not very hard at that!
I’d been, literally, leisurely walking around a mountain – again and again. It occurred to me that it was more than past time to turn northward. Then, and only then, would things begin to look up.
Spend a little time with this verse and see if there’s an area of your life it wants to discuss. If it does, you’d be wise to listen.
~ Joi
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough; turn you northward. – Deuteronomy 2:3 (KJV)
You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. – Deuteronomy 2:3 (NASB)
>>>> The picture at the top was taken on a recent trip to gorgeous (gorgeous!) Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Kentucky.
It’s interesting that I came across this post when I did, as I have actually been dealing with such things in my family as of late. Sometimes I am astounded by the tenacity with which we (everyone) will try the same thing over and over and expect it to work out how we want it.
If we were to put as much energy into trying different things than our previous attempts, we would all be so much more successful in life.
I guess it all just boils down to pride. Not wanting to admit defeat, but instead opting for doing it again and again in hopes that by shear force of will it will happen how we want it do happen.
It’s important to know when to give up. Many people in wilderness situations push themselves past where they should and end up getting themselves into very dangerous situations. This is one of the leading causes of death in wilderness situations. Random fact for you… lol.