Navigate Your LifeSample

Know Your Backstop

The fifth principle of navigation is "know your backstop." Often, we envision the chain-link fence behind the catcher and home plate umpire, designed to keep the ball in play and ensure spectators' safety. In navigation, a backstop signifies an identifiable feature indicating how far is too far—a trail, road, or water feature serving as a boundary. While guardrails outline our periphery, a backstop signals when we've exceeded our target, prompting a halt in forward progress.

There are times when having a clearly defined, predetermined boundary is crucial. Waiting until we're caught up in the heat of the moment to figure out 'how far is too far' often means we've already crossed our boundaries. This is especially true when it comes to setting moral limits, as many have felt regret after moments of passion led them to exceed their sexual or ethical boundaries.

Another area where a backstop proves invaluable is in preventing overcommitment and burnout. Some individuals push themselves beyond their limits, ignoring backstops and enduring needless consequences. Aristotle's Golden Mean teaches the principle of optimization-- the between extremes. For instance, courage resides between timidity and rashness, while self-control balances indecisiveness and impulsivity. Rashness and impulsivity signify overstepping the target, indicating the need for a backstop.

Predetermined backstops are also helpful in setting realistic goals. While big, audacious goals are important, it's the realistic ones that keep us grounded and focused on one task at a time. Consistency and focused energy guarantee progress, letting the woodpile take care of itself. Sometimes, a backstop is as simple as deciding to chop the single piece of wood right in front of you.

Interestingly, the concept of a backstop is evident in the story of the Garden of Eden. This is a lesson that strikes at the core of human identity. God granted Adam freedom with one exception—to refrain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan's deception about this backstop led to humanity's downfall when Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, resulting in devastating consequences. As we see in the biblical text, limitations serve a purpose: to maintain freedom.

Reflecting on your own life, consider the intricacies of your daily journey. Where might a backstop prove invaluable? In the realm of dating, how might you shield your heart? Amidst your business endeavors, could a backstop prevent you from compromising your morals for profit? As a spouse, what boundaries will you set to uphold the sanctity of your marriage? And when it comes to substances, are you aware of your personal limits? These questions highlight just a few instances where a backstop can serve as a protective measure, guarding our hearts, loved ones, and lives from the anguish of regret and other detrimental consequences.