In Lewis Carrolls classic “Alice in Wonderland”, Alice posed an interesting question to the Cheshire Cat.
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
Alice in this exchange was hoping to get somewhere but did not have a plan. We all need to have a plan to have hope and guidance in our lives.
Throughout our life’s journey, each of us will have moments when we need to decide “which way I ought to go from here?” Those moments could be through loss, uncertainty, family circumstances, education, career choices, or a multitude of other circumstances.
Alice turned to the Cat, but who do we turn to for direction in our lives? In today’s world there are many who will gladly offer help. Some with good intentions, others who may seek to lead us in the wrong direction.
Thousands of motivational books have been written, social media has produced “influencers,” life coaches, conference and training seminars, health professionals, support groups, and religious leaders are but a few resources that may assist in giving direction to our lives.
We need to establish trusted sources to help us in the important decisions we each need to make.
My decision process has included some of the resources that are listed but importantly also include counselling with my wife, trusted advisers, prayer, and fasting. Christian texts are replete with the words of hope but can best be understood through studying and quiet contemplation of the meaning and how they apply to us.
They give me not only guidance but hope for a brighter future based upon a sound understanding of my goals and values.
Like Alice, we may find times when we are also down a rabbit hole and trying to work out which way to go. We need to seek for joy in our lives and live with hope that no matter what the circumstances of our lives may be, that the focus, values, and direction we establish will assist us and others to also have that same hope and joy.
Neville Walker
Member – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
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