Life Trajectories and Course Corrections

Whilst working with Rahul* (discussion used with permission whilst maintaining permission) earlier this week and in discussion about the mindset that he had historically held about the way things were playing out within his life, he came to a realisation that change was needed. Continuing on that current path held an air of bleakness, and in fact potential loneliness would have been realised too. Walking such a pathway, even though it seemed like the only possible option in reality, held consequences which would have been saddening and potentially crippling for his future. Maintaining this journey into the future, would lead him into an experience which would be disastrous for him. As we sat with this material, Rahul reflected, ‘I need to forge a new trajectory into the future’. Realising that change was possible allowed hope to enter into his situation.

A definition of the term ‘trajectory’ is a ‘path, progression, or line of development.’ This word has traditionally been used in the study of physics, but as physical beings we too can follow a trajectory, a path which almost feels mapped out for us due to the nature of our life or family history. As an example, Prince William is in a direct line to the throne. To some degree, his life has been mapped out for him – his life pathway ‘for better or worse’ is likely to lead to him succeeding King Charles to the throne of the United Kingdom. Likewise, one can see other life trajectories being pursued almost inflexibly by those on it’s passageway. The outcome in some of these situations can be heartbreaking. Working with young people over the course of thirty years, I could see how many of those with whom I worked had no desire to turn out the way they did. For some, ending up in prison began the moment that the people that had parental responsibility over them chose to abuse them. Such a trajectory was not chosen by the young person alone, it just seemed to them that they had no other option than to enter the world of gangs. The word ‘narcissist’ is repeatedly ‘thrown’ at a partner; in fact he is simply unable to express what is happening within him. He, in turn, became increasingly aggressive, and well, ‘toxic’ too. When working as a teacher, I heard of a young person that carried a knife around with them for ‘protection’; they and their friend got into an argument, then they pulled their knife out and killed their friend. That day, two young men lost their lives. Life was not supposed to be this way.

Life trajectories are changeable. Hope is available to help. In a similar way that our GPS can offer alternative directions for our car journeys, we have choices which we may not realise when it comes to our life choices. Neuroscience, that is the science of the nervous system, has found that neural pathways exist within the brain. Indeed, scientific research suggests that in a developing child, more than a million pathways are forming per second. Many of these pathways are forged through a combination of experiences, behaviours, and feelings which go on to affect the formation of our habits. Behaviours, when repeated regularly, carve out grooves in the brain almost like the creation of highways in a newly planned community. Whilst the number of pathways being formed reduces during the maturation process, the formation and development of neural pathways continues to spread throughout one’s lifetime. Regardless of where one finds themselves at on life’s trajectory, nothing need stay the same.

Stories of individuals whose lives have positively changed are both encouraging and inspiring. Hearing of those that have turned the corner from a less-than-ideal experience of life, can be inspirational. Such an example maybe of John Newton, the author of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’. Following surviving a storm on the back of a prayer, Newton became aware of the kindness of God and, in time, though once a slave trader he became an abolitionist who would later campaign for the end of enslavement. Another story is of David Hamilton, a former prisoner and Ulster Volunteer Force Member who had both been involved in several armed robberies who discovered that God wanted more for him than to be a ‘protestant’, discovering instead that rather than harming others, he could be a force for healing. Further, one might think of Christine Caine, a woman who today who leads an international charity aimed at ending people trafficking. Her life began as a nameless child who later was sexually abused from the age of 3 through 15 years old. Wherever one’s story begins, regardless of how traumatic or violent, it need not be concluded there.

The course of your life trajectory can be changed. If you are reading this whilst struggling with difficulties, you need not remain silent. Perhaps you are ashamed of your past. It may be that you are still repeating patterns of behaviour which you know you need to change, but don’t know how to. Hope is here. With support, you can move beyond your today, and like anyone of those mentioned above, you can discover a life worth living. Rather than wait for a course correction to be forced upon you, why not consider altering your route now?

At a crossroads in the history of Israel, a leader called Joshua who was approaching the end of his life’s work challenged the people, ‘choose today whom you will serve’ (Joshua 24). His warning called them to consider their life destination. At time, lines need to be drawn, decisions made, and courses rerouting. You may argue that your current lifestyle may not be hurting anyone else, but I wonder if it is hurting you? Are you dissatisfied? Have you lost sight of dreams that once motivated you? Perhaps it is time for you to ‘choose this day’ what you are living life for. You too have inspiration written into your DNA. Being designed in the ‘image of God’ means that you have Divine fingerprints all over you, even if until now you have not realised it. You were designed for something beautifully unique. Maybe it's time to discover a way toward that goal?

Root this now

A. Take some time to reflect upon your current life trajectory. In what ways are things going well? Reflecting upon areas that feel less than ideal currently, what do you sense might happen when you consider the impacts both short and long term of this behaviour? Journal what you have become aware of.

B. Consider reading more about an inspirational individual who has had to overcome life challenges. Ponder what steps they took in order to move forward.

C. In the book of Genesis (the first book in the Bible) chapter 1, God made humans in His likeness. Take time to reflect upon that passage. Meditate upon the idea of being in the 'image of God'.

References

1. Merriam Webster Dictionary online, (2024). ‘Trajectory’. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trajectory. Accessed November 2024

2. McLachlan, S. (2021). ‘The Science of Habit’. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-science-of-habit#1. Accessed November 2024

3. Cherry, K (2024). ‘How Neuroplasticity Works’. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. Accessed November 2024

4. Harvard University: Center of the Developing Child (2024). ‘Brain Architecture’. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brain-architecture/. Accessed November 2024

5. Hamilton, D. (2024). ‘I Entered Prison a ‘Protestant’. I Left a Christian’. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2021/12/david-hamilton-protestant-catholic-northern-ireland-prison/. Accessed November 2024

6. Herbert, S. (2021). ‘Exhibition to mark slave-owner turned Abolitionist John Newton’. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/18-june/news/uk/exhibition-to-mark-slave-owner-turned-abolitionist-john-newton. Accessed November 2024

7. Jones, B. (2024). ‘Christine Caine’s Story’. https://revwords.com/christine-caines-story/. Accessed November 2024

8. Joshua 24:14-15, English Standard Version (ESV) (2016).