I grew up in a town where public transportation wasn’t really a thing. I mean, it existed but it wasn’t a normal rhythm for me or my family. I had been on a train a time or two in Atlanta and well… that’s it. I was a child during these opportunities meaning I paid no attention to how these trains worked or how to read the maps. Surprisingly, I made it all the way to my late twenties relatively unscathed by this lack of orienteering skills. Until one day. 

I was in Australia and the place we were staying didn’t have wifi. I know what you’re thinking. “Brandon, get off the screens and enjoy the trip.” While I wish I could have followed that advice, I was in school at the time and had to submit daily assignments. So, I decided to take the bus to a nearby coffee shop, submit my assignments, and be back before breakfast. 

After asking for some basic instructions, my plan was underway. I hopped on the bus, rode it two stops, and got dropped off a few steps from the shop. I sat down, pulled out my laptop, and realized, there was no wifi there either. This was not the end of the world, I had all day to find wifi but, had plans with my family and didn’t have time for a wild wifi chase. So, I got back on the bus and asked the driver if he was headed back to Olympic Park where we were staying. That was the moment when my directional deficit would rear its ugly head. 

About ten stops later the bus stopped. Seeing that it wasn’t my stop, I leaned back into my seat waiting to move to the next one. But this stop was different. The driver looked back and said, “last stop mate.” In an attempt to play it cool, I was wearing a leather jacket by the way, I stood up, got off the bus, and then let panic set in. I was in downtown Sydney with no map, no cell phone service, and no idea what I was going to do. I started walking hoping to find anything familiar with bonus points for a “free wifi” sign. That’s when I saw it, the warm, friendly, and welcoming glow of the golden arches. It was my rescue in the form of a clown. I found McDonald’s, and I was lovin’ it! I used the wifi to figure out where I was and let my family know the situation was under control probably going to be fine. After submitting my assignments, I began the journey to meet up with my family. Thankfully, it only took two trains, another bus, and a four-block walk to get there. Later that day, we took a ferry to the zoo allowing me to complete my official city of Sydney public transpo bingo card. 

That day was stressful, at times a bit scary, but ultimately, it was really fun. It happened about 13 years ago and my wife and I still laugh every time we talk about it. That day, I learned that even when we get lost, we always have the opportunity to find something. 

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Here is what I found that day. First, I found the need to learn to use a map. If I had checked the bus route instead of just hopping on, I would have discovered that there was a second stop directly across the street from that coffee shop. Busses leaving that stop were headed the two stops back to the apartment where my family was. 

Second, I found that I often miss the opportunity to ask for help in the right way. I asked the bus driver if he was going back to Olympic Park. When he said yes, I just grabbed a seat. Later that day I realized that Olympic Park was a big place. We did go there, but it was nowhere near where I needed to be. Sometimes I can get so focused on the challenges right in front of me, that I miss opportunities to seek more clarity and allow others to help me get where I need to go. The bus driver could have told me exactly what to do if I had given him a little bit more information. 

Finally, I found a great story. When I met up with my family a few hours later, we all had a great laugh and then went about our day. For them, it was a funny moment but for me, it was an adventure. It’s a story I remember to this day and still hold pretty dear. Honestly, it’s become one of my favorite misadventures. Quite by accident, I took something as mundane as turning in a homework assignment into a much better story. 

We’re all searching for a better story. We all want some thrill or some excitement written on the pages of our lives. Sure, we all want that to different degrees, but deep down, we’re all searching for it. The good news is that it’s already there. We all have those moments, we just have to see them for what they are. My bus fiasco could have gone very differently. I could have viewed it as a major crisis. I could have let fear and uncertainty rob me of my opportunity for excitement and exploration. Instead, I took the story that was set before me and chose adventure over horror. That choice made all the difference. 

It is through our stories that we are able to discover our purpose and passions. And it is the stories of uncertainty or struggle that reveal how strong we are and show us what we are truly made of. When you are in such a situation, choose to find a better story. Choose to live an adventure instead of a nightmare. Choose to let God lead you and guide you instead of trying to go it alone. And choose to find what He is trying to teach you in the moment as He shapes you for your mission. 

Are there moments in your life that could be redeemed if you chose to tell yourself a better story? What was God telling you in those moments? I hope you can look back and choose better stories. 

As I shared above, it is our everyday stories that shape our lives and reveal our purpose. I wrote a book called “Magic in the Mug” about this very subject. It’s filled with stories and is all about they can help us discover a life of purpose. I’d love your help getting this book out into the world! Visit brandonhair.me/magic to find out more about the book and how you can be part of the team!