Milestones

Experiencing life as a journey often has me digging deeper into the metaphors that surround journeys, looking for broader meaning and helpful analogies. So I have been thinking about milestones recently. I have a milestone birthday on the horizon and hearing the word caused me to think about the original milestones and their purpose. In the days before metal road signs, the distance between towns was marked by pillars or stones placed by the roadside a mile apart to mark each mile travelled.

So originally the reason for milestones was to give information. The milestones told of the distance travelled and by deduction, the distance still to go to the destination. When setting out on a journey we need information. We need to prepare practically when we embark on a journey. Part of the preparation is to know how far we will travel, what kind of terrain there is and what we might encounter. We gather information and we gather equipment. So the milestones act as a marker to give us the information we need.

During the journey, the milestones not only provide information – they also act as an encouragement to show us how far we have come. Sometimes the mental energy required during a journey is as substantial as the necessary physical effort. The milestones give us a sense of achievement, pacing ourselves and a realistic view of what is ahead of us.

It is this purpose of a milestone that has come into common parlance to mean an event of significance that acts as some kind of marker in the journey of life.

In life, we refer to milestones as achievements or events on which we place significance and meaning. For example, taking our first steps, saying our first word, our last day at school, getting an interview, a promotion at work, the children leaving home or receiving an award.

As we acknowledge these milestones they offer us the opportunity to pause and reflect. With a physical journey, if we are going a long way, it is highly unlikely that we do it all in one go. We break it into stages. We rest. We gather what we need. We think about the journey already completed. Then we move on.

Celebrating our progress

And so it is with a milestone in our life. It offers the same opportunity to pause. We might pause and celebrate. Or pause and grieve. Or consider a change of direction. And just like the crossroads, the milestone offers a gift. The gift of reflection in order to dig deeper, asking ourselves, “What benefits me travelling on this road?”, “Does this journey bring me joy and fulfilment?” or “What could I change in order to enjoy the journey more?”

We need milestones. As we acknowledge a particular event and name it as a milestone, we receive the gift of true humanity because it highlights what truly matters. Milestones are powerful reminders that it is the quality of our journey, our journey companions and how we seek to contribute to other people’s journeys that makes all the difference.

Just as there is a rhythm to the year through the seasons and a rhythm to the day and night that the human body is affected by; our spirits too need a certain rhythm. A rhythm of gathering and growing. Of stretching and learning. Of reflecting and acting. Of resting and contemplating. We need it all to be mentally healthy.

The milestone acts as a kind of life barometer. I am taking the time to think about my journey so far. What have I learned? What are my values? What do I want to focus on? What might I need to let go of? As I consider this next milestone, I reflect on my journey so far and I gather resources and resolve for the path ahead.

We have the opportunity to ask searching questions or allow ourselves to celebrate and be grateful. Acknowledge and celebrate how far you have come! We put a lot of energy into thinking ahead and pushing on to the next mile. A milestone reminds us of the benefit of looking back, the art of reflection. I want to encourage you to sift through the experiences of the past milestones and decide what to keep, what to let go of and how to move forward. The following questions will help you to pause, rest, celebrate and recalibrate. Grab a pen, notebook and some space!

Transformational Questions:

What 5 milestones can you identify in your life?

What about them makes them especially significant to you?

How are your values visible within those identified milestones?

What do you learn about yourself from those 5 milestones?

What are you grateful for?

What 3 things are you going to take action on as a result of this reflection?

If you would like to explore your life’s journey further in a coaching context please contact Anna at digdeepdreambig@gmail.com