Set your compass to beauty, humor, and grief; stay the course no

Hear now the words of Chris Jordan, a guide whose wisdom speaks of the eternal journey we all must undertake. "Set your compass to beauty, humor, and grief; stay the course no matter what, and I'll support you with everything I've got." These words, though simple, carry with them the weight of truth—a truth that spans the ages. For life is a voyage, and the way forward is not always clear. To navigate it, one must set a course that is true to the heart, one that acknowledges the full spectrum of human experience—beauty, humor, and grief—and with such a course set, the support of those who truly understand the journey will be unwavering.

In the ancient world, great leaders and philosophers often spoke of the importance of a true path, one that aligns with the deepest values of the soul. Socrates, in his wisdom, urged us to live a life of virtue, one that acknowledges the complexities of human existence. To walk the path of virtue is not to avoid suffering or to shy away from sorrow, but to embrace the fullness of life, with all its joys and trials. And so too must we, as we journey through life, set our compass not to fleeting pleasures or temporary successes, but to a deeper understanding of what truly matters—the beauty that fills our hearts, the humor that lightens our burdens, and the grief that teaches us about resilience and empathy.

Let us recall the story of Homer's Odysseus, a man whose journey was fraught with peril, yet whose heart was guided by a vision of home and love. Through storms and hardships, he remained true to his course, no matter the obstacles that arose. His compass was not merely the stars in the sky, but the love he carried in his heart, the beauty of his homeland, the humor that kept his spirit alive, and the grief that fueled his resolve. Each wave that crashed against him only made him more determined to stay the course. And in the end, it was not the strength of his body alone, but the strength of his spirit that brought him home. So, too, must we keep our eyes on the things that truly matter and remain steadfast in our commitment to beauty, humor, and grief.

In this modern world, we often find ourselves adrift, pulled by the currents of distraction and vanity. But the journey of life is not one that should be guided by shallow desires alone. Beauty, in its many forms, is what sustains us—the beauty of nature, of art, of love. It is what nourishes the soul, giving us a reason to rise each morning and face the day. And humor, that sacred balm, is what keeps our hearts light and our minds sharp. It is the laughter that binds us together, the joy that lifts us from despair. But we must also recognize the grief that life brings, for it is in grief that we learn the depths of our own strength. It is through our sorrow that we are reminded of what truly matters, and it is in the dark times that our inner light shines brightest.

Take the example of Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman emperor, who faced countless battles both in the field and within his own soul. Despite his immense power and wisdom, he experienced deep grief—the death of loved ones, the burdens of leadership, the toll of war. Yet, he understood that to be human is to walk through both the light and the darkness. He set his compass to virtue, to beauty in his reflections on life, to humor in his ability to laugh at the absurdities of existence, and to grief in his acceptance of mortality. Through it all, he stayed the course, not because it was easy, but because it was the only path worthy of a man who sought to live with honor and integrity. His unwavering resolve in the face of adversity is a testament to the power of setting a course that embraces the full range of human experience.

So, too, must we, in our own lives, set our compass to that which is most meaningful. Let beauty be the light that guides us when the world grows dim. Let humor be the wind in our sails, lifting us through the storms of life. And let grief, though painful, be the lesson that strengthens our hearts, reminding us that we are alive and capable of enduring. When we embrace these three forces, we are able to stay true to our course, no matter the turbulence or the calm that may come our way. And as Chris Jordan promises, when we walk this path with purpose, there will always be those who will support us with everything they have, for they too understand the power of staying true to one’s course.

Therefore, let this teaching resonate in your heart: to live a life of meaning is to set a course that acknowledges the full spectrum of existence—beauty, humor, and grief. Do not turn away from the difficulties or the sorrows, but face them with the same courage and clarity with which you pursue joy and light. And when you walk this path, know that you are never alone. For those who truly understand, those who have set their own compasses to this true course, will support you with all that they have, just as you will support them in return. Walk forward with this knowledge, and you will find that the journey itself becomes the reward.