What Are The North Stars Of Your Life?

It is without question one of the most unusual radio stations a person could listen to. In fact, you can't listen to it on a regular AM-FM radio, you need something that some would call shortwave, others would call HF radios. It's WWV, operated by the National Institute for Science and Technolgy and all it does is broadcast time 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You think I'm kidding? Listen for yourself in the audio clip below, but be warned, it's 26 seconds of your life you will never get back...

As odd as it is, I usually listen to WWV, or it's companion station WWVH from Hawaii almost every day. You might be wondering why, and the answer to that is because it has been with me all my life. It's there every day. It is one of the many North Stars in my life that I can count on (although it almost went away in 2019 due to proposed budget cuts – but that's another story).

Most of the North Stars in my life, however are not radio stations.

When a person says they are following their North Star, they are referring to a personal guiding principle or purpose that guides their decision-making and actions in life. The North Star is a metaphorical representation of an individual's inner compass or guiding light that helps them navigate their way through life.

Following one's North Star involves identifying their core values, goals, and passions and aligning their actions with them. This means that they make decisions based on what they truly believe in and what brings them joy and fulfillment, rather than being swayed by external factors such as societal expectations or peer pressure.

When someone is following their North Star, they are living authentically and purposefully, and their actions are congruent with their beliefs and values. This often leads to a sense of fulfillment and happiness because they are living a life that is true to themselves and what they value.

However, following one's North Star is not always easy. It requires self-awareness, courage, and perseverance to stay true to oneself, especially in the face of obstacles or challenges. It can also involve taking risks and stepping outside of one's comfort zone to pursue what truly matters to them.

Following one's North Star is a highly personal and subjective experience, as everyone's guiding principles and purposes will be different. It can take time and reflection to identify one's North Star, and it may change over time as people grow and evolve.

Overall, following one's North Star means living a life that is true to oneself, aligning actions with core values, goals, and passions, and pursuing personal fulfillment and happiness. It involves identifying what truly matters in life and having the courage and perseverance to pursue it, even when it is difficult or challenging.

And sometimes it can mean listening to a broadcast that chrips and beeps all day.