Dead Reckoning
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 08 January 2012 11:06
- Written by Elaine Beth Peresluha
After the Titanic hits the iceberg, in the movie the Captain emerges from his stateroom to encounter the terror in the eyes of his 1st mate.... who tells him of the iceberg... the water, the shutting down of sections of boat.... The Captain's eyes confirm the gravity of their situation.. His first instructions- “Mr. Johnson, note the time and events in the log book.”
It is the most ancient law of the sea.... At the beginning of every watch and at the end of every watch, someone must make an entry into the log. Currents, tides, and wind direction must be noted as well as the course steered and for how long. Any deviations from course and why it was made must be noted. Points are plotted on the chart. Accurate positions and sightings are noted.
These days, sailors can calculate their position using sophisticated electronic gear and GPS signals. When no electronic equipment is available to calculate a position, many seamen still know and rely on the sextant to get a fix from the sun. If the sky is overcast, no sun or stars are visible to obtain a fix they must depend upon that logbook and dead reckoning.
Dead reckoning is a navigational process based on inference and educated guess work. It is the only way to figure out where you are and where you are going when you are blanketed by fog, in the dark, no stars. Sailors can estimate where they are and what direction to move by looking at the marks on the chart and the notes in the logbook. If accurate attention has been paid to details, if the why's and wherefores have been documented, location and direction can be educated guess and the ship can move safely until an accurate fix on location can be taken. Dead Reckoning can assure that sailors arrive safely at their intended destination.
January is named for Janus, the Roman God of Doors reminds us of the hinged quality of the New Year. At this threshold, we are allowed to look forward or back... at a less than perfect history... or ahead in anticipation of a year of promise.
Lucy tells Charlie Brown that life is like a cruise ship. Passengers open their canvas deck chairs so they can sit in the sun. Some people place their chairs facing the stern of the ship, so they can see where they have been. Others place their chairs facing the bow, because they want to see where they are going. Lucy faces Charlie Brown sternly and asks... "Charlie Brown ...on the cruise ship of life...which way is your deck chair facing?" He answers, "I've never been able to get one unfolded..."
We are each navigating the waters of a new year. Janus reminds us to look ahead, look back, to get a fix on where we are personally, spiritually, communally so that course we plot and the set of our sails lead us to the future we desire. Note the milestones and markers documenting the passage through the last year. They are giving us bearings, preparing us for the possibilities, the icebergs, and the enticing markets of the New Year.
Get a fix on your physical body. Are you experiencing weight gain or loss, headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breathe upon exertion. Any change from the norm in sleep patterns, eating or physical regimes or appearance can be navigational aides guiding the course towards physical health and well being.
Log entry: the position of my emotional body. How well do I give care and receive care in balanced proportion? Our emotional health is measured by our ability to create and sustain intimate relationships... friends, partners - or let go of relationships which are not healthy. The amount of time we have available for relationships and other activities, which bring us joy and satisfaction, indicates the state of our emotional bodies. A dependency upon overworking, food, alcohol drugs, or other coping devices can indicates the need for emotional course corrections.
Anger disproportional to the situation that erupts it- or frequent angry, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed is the voice of an emotional body crying out for care and attention Take note- listen- seek help.
Captain’s note: What about a sense of purpose- awareness of being part of something greater than self, service to higher intention. Where am I going? Directionless, spiritual bodies will flash their warning- the need of a course change with cynicism, negativity, or sarcasm. A spiritual practice, something as simple as a daily, mindful walk- or the daily observation of your breath can bring our spiritual bodies back on course.
First Parish has been getting a fix on its personal, spiritual, communal location. This is important to do before we set sail into the ministerial search process. We have noted the milestones and markers which documents this congregations passage - giving us bearings to set course by, preparing us for needs of a new year. That is what we have been doing with our meet and greets, the Leadership Development, trying to get an accurate fix on where First Parish has been and wants to go. The most significant message emerging from our interim process is the need for a clear unifying and overarching mission and vision that will ground and guide decision making, policy and governance.
IN 1947, Robert Frost wrote
Choose Something Like a Star – When Beth chose this music- we thought it fitting to our navigational theme- - and we realized it also is just the metaphor to support FP’s interim process- and the need for a mission.
O Star (the fairest one in sight), ….
Say something to us we can learn
By heart and when alone repeat.
Say something! And it says "I burn."
And say with what degree of heat.
Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.
Use language we can comprehend.
Tell us what elements you blend.
… Asks of us a certain height,
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.
The PIT and MSC are offering FP the opportunities to choose a star- to unite in purpose sharing a mission that will navigate FP thought the search for a new minister and guide the direction of this institution into its future. The February Blitz, we offer you all a place in the conversation- to add your portion –to log in. Come, talk, listen, and share. When everything that needs to be said is heard you will be ready to come together and form a mission that has meaning. The PIT and I are planning an all weekend event- March 30-April 1. Save the date- watch for more details. The more people who participate in this event, the more accurately it will reflect the whole community and the better match you will be able to make in choosing your next settled minister. The February Blitz will lead you into an April Fool’s weekend planning retreat that will clarify the charge to the ministerial search committee. This is the time to assess your vision of ministry- your mission to one another and the surrounding community. Be mindful of this moment. Chart an engaging course, wonder at the possibilities of the future. Bring your unique voice to the journey. Choose something like a star.
Each time a ship or boat gets under way, the unknowns are vast... stretching out ahead... leading to some magical horizon. Like an open sea, the year ahead beckons to us. Each of us will journey through 1012 to arrive in 2013. How and where we arrive is up to each of us. January is the month to reflect on individual and communal direction. Note the destination-look back- look forward where have you been- where do you want to go?
Keep Ithaca fixed in your mind. To arrive there is our ultimate goal. We will not hurry the voyage- rather journey with intention, keeping our thoughts lofty, confident in our competence to meet the challenges, we will savor the joy, the discovery and the treasure of another year. May it be so.