Pace yourself. Pause. Take in the surroundings, and take the time to read the signs. Hey! Stop what you are doing and turn around! Take a good look. Where did you come from? What will it look like when you go back this way? You may have a plan and a direction, but except during those times of swift attack and rapid deployment, the warrior paces himself. He takes time to reflect. He takes time to mark his progress. He reconfirms his commitment, but he also reconfirms reality with his world view. The true warrior is not seduced by false signs and self-deception, nor do they allow desires to take precedence over reality. No. The true warrior is willing to change course in the middle of the stream. The true warrior will withdraw in order to survive to fight another day. He is aware of the ebb and flow around him.

To be aware, one must pay attention. So today, start becoming aware. The first part of the exercise is to open your eyes. The second part is to look around. The third part is to see. The fourth part is to acknowledge. The fifth part is to understand. And the sixth and final part is to bookmark it!

Stop getting lost. Become aware. There are many ways to get lost, and many places in which to do so. The funny part is that many of us don’t even know we’re lost. Pace yourself. Pause. Take in the surroundings, and take the time to read the signs. Hey, stop what you are doing and turn around. Take a good look. Where did you come from? What will it look like when you go back this way? In everything you do, this will help you to stop becoming lost—lost in your thoughts, lost in your mind, lost in your work, lost in your heart, lost in the crowd, lost in the woods, or lost at sea.

You are warriors, and you take the time to look around yourself and bookmark the signs. You will not get lost. You will find your way regardless of how dark it becomes and how hopeless it seems. You have a commitment to survive and to find your way. You are a true warrior and you will overcome and succeed. So it is written.