Commentary: Life -- a maze that can be amazing Published Nov. 16, 2011 By Lt. Col. Thomas Bacon 71st Medical Operations Squadron commander VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- This time of year, as you travel through the country, you will see signs for mazes. They may be made from many different materials including tall corn stalks -- not true in Oklahoma this year -- or bales of hay. Dictionary.com defines a maze as "a confusing network of intercommunicating paths or passages" and "any complex system or arrangement that causes bewilderment, confusion, or perplexity." Life is similar to a maze. It consists of twist and turns, dead-ends, and at the end, the reward of finding the solution. Let's study the similarities and solution processes to see how the maze of life can be amazing. First of all, what is the easiest way to solve a maze? In many children's puzzle books there are diagrams of mazes to solve. They show you where to start and where to end. These puzzles are easy to solve because of your perspective. You are above the puzzle looking down on the entire maze. I find many times when solving a challenge it helps to start with the end in mind. Life is easier to solve with an elevated or strategic perspective. What are my goals in life and how can I achieve them? How do I want to be remembered at the end? I believe some people even take the time to write their own eulogy as an exercise to focus on what is really important to them. I would also suggest taking the opportunity to discuss your aspirations with others that have traveled the path you want to take. Their life experiences - perspective -- can be very beneficial in helping you avoid dead ends and wrong turns. But life is more complicated than solving a child's puzzle maze. Life consists of multiple dimensions -- physical, mental/emotional, social and spiritual -- that complicate the puzzle. It reminds me of the tri-dimensional chess game that Spock from Star Trek made famous in the original TV series and movies. Not only do we have various dimensions but we also have multiple roles that we play in life. I am currently a husband, father, son, brother, officer, commander and mentor. The list goes on and changes with the various stages of life. I have observed that those that get the most satisfaction out of life tend to simplify the complex by doing three things. First, they determine their driving purpose in life. Second, they prioritize their roles. And last, they keep the various dimensions balanced based on their personal objectives. Also remember, what may be balanced for you may not be balanced for what others want to accomplish. The next step in making the maze of life amazing is focusing on the tactical level of life. The day-to-day grind of putting your head down and doing the work required to achieve your goals. This step is the hardest and takes determination, dedication, discipline and effort. Many folks dream about where they want to be some day but few turn those dreams into reality. Once you set your mind to reaching a goal and start working towards it, you will be surprised at what you can accomplish. The last step in the maze is at the end of your journey when you realize the fruits of your labor. Accomplishing your goals is very rewarding and encourages you to set more and higher goals. We only get to walk this maze called life one time. Let's determine to do what we can to make it amazing.