Someday you’ll be on the other side of this.

It is easy to get lost in a place you’ve never been before.
Everything is different, but familiar.
Everything is new, but old.
But this isn’t your first time stepping into the unknown.
In the past, you’ve wandered down unfamiliar streets and have crossed over new avenues.
You’ve waited for the red light to turn green and for the construction to be cleared.
You’ve made lefts and rights and u-turns and complete stops.
But not here.

Not yet.

This is your first time here.

When you get lost, and you will get lost, look for the signs. 

They tell you where you are and which direction you should go.
I know this because I am good at getting lost and the plans I make are great at falling apart.
On top of that, I double majored in over-thinking and forgetting the truth. 
I’m an expert at not knowing where I am or how to get to where I want to be.
And if you want to get to where you are trying to go, you have to look for the signs. 

There is one thing everyone wonders when they feel lost, and I know you’re wondering this as well.
Yes, everything will be okay.
There might not be a sign in bright neon lights that says, “everything will be okay,” but everything will be.

Everything will be okay.

When you get lost, and you will get lost, give yourself a minute.

 Breathe and look up and around.
Pause and notice what is true:
You are here and alive and finding your way.
And everything will be okay.
Do not forget that.
Sure, you don’t have all the answers, but no one has all the answers.
And although you might feel behind, you aren’t.

This is your first time here. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself.
It’s easy to be hard on yourself.
You do not need to do this, just like you don’t need to look down.
Sure, you can keep your eyes peeled to your phone.
Distractions are great when life becomes difficult, but you're going to miss most of what you didn’t know you were looking for.

You’ll miss the people.
You’ll miss the new.
You’ll miss the beauty.
You’ll miss the adventure.
You’ll miss the story.
You’ll miss the signs.
And you need the signs.

Stop looking down.
Instead, look up and around.

When you are lost, and you will get lost, ask for help.

Look a stranger in the eye and say the single most brave word in human history: help.
Ask the question you’ve been typing into Google.
Ask for directions or advice.
Ask them for a minute of their time.
Ask the question you’ve been screaming inside.
Ask the question without fear or shame, but with trust and hope.

Little by little, what is different will become familiar.
Little by little, what is new will become old.

And soon you’ll find that you aren’t lost after all.
You’re just figuring it out as you find your way forward.

Someday you’ll be on the other side of this.
And everything will be okay. 

PS
This writing was not about being lost. 
This was about living. 
But I think you knew that.

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.