When I was 16 I lived in a small southern town with my folks. The town had only about three thousand people. Our house was about 3 miles from the swamp. Along the edge of the swamp was an old burned out church and grave yard. It was said that the church was destroyed during the Civil War. Some of the graves in the grave yard date back to the 1700s. I use to spend a long of time their thinking as teenagers do. You know how it was when you were young you found a spot were you could think and just be alone for a while. This was my spot I use to walk among the tomb stones reading the names and the whole time thinking who where these people.

One after noon it was hot and muggy things were not going right for me that day. As a Teen I had a lot of stress but this day was more than others. I got my shoes on and headed out and went to the church. As I walked down the winding road that leads to the church I was looking at the old Oak trees and the long strands of moss that hung from them. When I got to the burned out church I sat down on part of the wall that had been destroyed by what I assumed was a cannon ball during the civil war. The roof was long gone so I could look up and see the trees and clouds as I just let my mind wonder. It was a spot to be alone for a while.

I stood up and walked out of the back area of the church the path from their went through some trees and ended up at the grave yard. I got to the grave yard which by the way was in bad shape a few weeks before that. You could not even see the tomb stones for the weeds and grass. So I brought the lawn mower down here and spend a whole day cutting the grass and just sprucing things up. Their was one grave I thought was nice it was of a ship captain from the early 1800s. On the tomb stone they had carved a sailing ship. I sat down in front of it just looking at the tomb stone thinking about the things that have been going on in my life.

As I was sitting just looking and thinking I must have dozed off. What Happened next I can not explain only tell about. I was thinking about how my family seems to work so hard but never gets the better things that life seems to offer. When all of a sudden I found my self on a sailing ship. It was a huge sailing ship three mast seven sails and a huge jib. I could even Smell the salt water and hear the water lapping up on the side of the ship. As I remember the dream I just stood their for a few seconds and then turned to my right and looked down the side of the ship to the wheel house. I stated to walk down towards the wheel house when some one said John. I turned to my right and looked and saw the captain of the ship. I asked Him how he knew my name. He said we have known each other for a long time. To be honest I have never met this man. He started talking about the ship and telling me about the many ports she had put into. He walked with me and then he asked me what I wanted to do when I got older.

Well I said I am not sure I never seem to get ahead. My dad works two jobs my mom works and so does my oldest brother. I said I tried to go to work to help out but my parents said no that I had to finish school first. The captain said I understand your schooling is very important.

John what do you see beyond the edge of the ship I looked and said nothing but water. The captain said that is right if we did not have charts and a idea of where we wanted to go we would spend years sailing around in circles and never see land. That is why you need to plot the chart so you can get where you want to go. The same goes for life you need to have a chart that shows you where to go.

Do you mean goals I asked he looked at me if that is what they call it where your from yes. You will do fine mate don't let the fears of life keep you off course just follow your gut and you will find your destination. Look off the bowl of the ship then he handed me a looking glass. You know the kind that pull out I put it up to my eye and before I knew it the dream was over.

I was laying on the ground I woke up and sat up thinking what a neat dream that was I started to brush my self off when I moved my hand I felt something next too it I looked down at my hand and their was the looking Glass. I about came out of my skin. I picked it up and held it thinking then I looked up and right in front of me was the tomb stone of the Sailing Captain. To this day I strongly believe I was given a gift the chance to get a direction and it was given to me by some one that I have never met except to visit his grave. I can not explain it and I can not say why all I know is it did happen.

That was 30 years ago to this day I have that old looking glass in a case in my office on the 20th floor of my corporate HQs building. A simple goal or direction is all I needed and he showed me how to get it.

Thank you Capatain