When I was around 7 or 8 years old my family went to the zoo. We are a total of 7, in addition I think we had other family with us at the time. Needless to say, we were a good size group of people. We stopped at one of the exhibits, I think it was the camel’s, but I’m not sure, and I got mesmerized by their behavior and watched them eat, drink and interact. When I turned around my entire family was gone.
We had just arrived not too long before and I remember looking down in the lower parking lot and seeing our car. I didn’t go down there as I knew it would be quite some time before everyone would be back there. I remember being pretty scared. I went and told a lady who was selling tickets in a booth. She brought me in and I sat me on a chair inside the small shack. I don’t remember how much time passed, but eventually my Mom found me. She got pretty upset with the lady as hiding me inside a ticket booth where no one could see me was probably not the smartest of ideas on her part.
I learned a few things after that day: pay attention to your surroundings, don’t panic and even though you may be temporarily lost if you keep your head, you will most likely be found.
Maybe it’s not so bad being temporarily lost. Lost in work, lost in relationships, lost in your direction in life. Because maybe you find out a little more about yourself in the process. And what is important to you. Maybe you appreciate where you are. Maybe you grow a little stronger – more independent.
If you don’t get a little lost every once in a while, how do you know what your limits are?