Discovering Your True North

During the 1800s, before emancipation, there were many secret codes to help slaves escape to freedom. Lanterns, gestures and quilts all were signs, but slaves shared most of their information through songs. While I will get more in depth about these codes in future posts, I wanted to share some of the lyrics of a song called Follow The Drinking Gourd. It was a song that explained to those seeking freedom from their chains to follow the Big Dipper and the North Star and that would lead them to the freedom they sought.

Follow the drinking gourd

Follow the drinking gourd

For the old man is comin’ just to carry you to freedom

Follow the drinking gourd

They didn’t have compasses to find their way north. They had to rely on the stars to show them the way. They searched for the signs on their journey to their ultimate destination, not always knowing where that would be, or what it would be like once they finally got there. They just had faith that it would lead them to a better life.

I spend a lot of time in the neighboring town of Angelica. I’m not sure if I can attribute it to the sacred geomancy of the town circle there or not, but there is something just magical about that town. So it came as no surprise to me that when I walked into one of the new shops there called Your True North, I was greeted by the most effervescent woman named Mindy, the owner. Battling MS, and still managing to open and run her own clothing store, with absolutely adorable finds in it I might add, Mindy is an inspiration! We became instant friends and over the course of a few visits to her store, we planned future projects together. One of the things she wanted me to help her with was making travel tumblers that say “Discover Your True North”. I had never heard the term before, and was inspired when she explained that it means listening to your inner compass. When you find your true north you discover your true self. It’s a combination of your purpose and your beliefs. That hit home for me. It’s been a long journey to get to the point I am at now, but I feel as if through this old house, I have discovered my True North.

Growing up, my father always found a way to include me in his life. He was an inveterate volunteer that gave so much of his time to serving the community. At various times in my life, I was his assistant coach for basketball and baseball, line judge for soccer, a time keeper, a score keeper, a catechism teacher, and an assistant cub scout master. I’ve spent time dressed as a clown, selling balloons at the church bazaar, and sitting in a dunk tank holding my breath waiting to be dropped into the water to raise money. The things that he instilled in me as a child are still with me as an adult, as I have been a volunteer in one form or another for the past 20 years. I’m not telling you this because I want a pat on the back, because that is not why I volunteer. I’m telling you this simply because it is part of who I am, and part of my journey to discovering my true north.

I think, like those escaping the tyranny of the plantation owners, many of us go through life not knowing what awaits us. Although we don’t have the same fears as those brave men and women who sought out freedom, and don’t have to watch over our shoulders for slave catchers, we all have a little bit of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being judged. Fear that holds us back from reaching for our goals. That fear keeps us grounded in the familiar things that make up our current lives. We feel safe where we are, and that fear keeps us there, rather than venturing out into the unknowns of what could be.

What if, like those escaping slaves, we all followed our own north star? The one that our inner compass is guiding us to. What if we looked for the signs and followed them? What if we listened to our gut? What if we just had faith? Maybe not every journey will end in victory, and you may have to try again and again, but what if those failures are just stepping stones to get you where you need to be?

There were so many signs that led me to this old house. Now that I am finally here, I know why. Having the plans for the house figured out, I have finally found my true north. My purpose that includes my beliefs. My husband feels the same way. Our purpose in life is to help others find their purpose. After doing a little bit of research on the Renwicks, we believe that was their purpose as well.

I’m not going to lie. At 52 years old, with a bad back, crummy knees and wrists that are shot, I sometimes look at this project and I am absolutely terrified. There are days when it’s an effort just getting my old bones out of bed in the morning. Mentally, I am 16, ready to take on the world, but physically, I am more like Mrs. Threadgoode in Fried Green Tomatoes, walking around the nursing home in my Converse sneakers telling tales of the past. Strangely enough, every time we drive by the house I tell my husband that my house is still there and no one stole it. He has yet to realize that I’m referring to Ninny Threadgoode, but I’m sure he will eventually figure it out one day. Maybe. I don’t think he is to into chick flicks though. Putting my husband’s masculinity to the side, and getting back on topic, what helps me get through those times of fear and self-doubt and keeps me going are you all. While it is a lot of weight on my shoulders, it is a burden I do not have to carry alone. So many of you have shown me that, and I am forever grateful and blessed to have you all there to help.

I think it’s kind of amazing that the house told me to open it up to hold classes there and use it as a gathering place for people to share their knowledge with each other. While I cannot verify much of what I have been told about the house (yet anyway!), I have been told it was once used as a school. I recently found out that both of the Renwicks were school teachers at one point of their lives, so I am sure that some type of instruction once took place there. Could the Renwicks have been guiding me in my decision on how to use the house from beyond the veil? Perhaps. That is a mystery I will never be able to provide an answer to. I can say that I am honored to be able to carry out their dreams from 170 years ago because, in doing so, even if it leads to helping just one person find their purpose in life and their true north, it will have been worth it all!