There are several essential elements that must be included when it comes to great pirate stories: classic sword fights, giant Man-of-war ships, pirate hats, and the Jolly Roger. Â But all of these elements are means to an end. Â The end we all know is buried treasure, the location of which is indicated by a giant X on a map. Â In the end it’s all about the map and the giant X. Â Once a pirate finds his map, Â his course and direction is set, and nothing will get in his way.
If you think about it, we might not be all that different. However unlike pirates, instead of getting the map where the X marks the spot, we  put our X’s on places where we think we will find our hidden “Treasure.”
Back in 1994 or so, when I was a swash-buckling pirate of sorts, I planned this huge trip to New Orleans to celebrate the infamous Jazz Fest. Â We decided where and when and after we had it all locked in, I put a giant X on my calendar. Â This would be where I would find all that I had hoped. Â Just like a pirate with my map in hand.
Well, without embarrassing myself too much, lets just say that this trip did not bring me the happiness I was so convinced that it would.  Matter of fact, I was so sick on the flight home, they asked me if they should land the plane.  And I asked that they just shoot me instead, or push me out the back hatch.  I was miserable.  Suffice it to say, I’ve never been back to Jazz Fest.  And cringe when I hear Jazz music.
The more I think about this, I have done this with many aspects of my life. Now while I didn’t actually have a map with a giant X on it, the course of my life is often filled by events or things that I hope would give me all that I was seeking, just like buried treasure. Â My career, an X on a map, my title, an X on a map, the house I was going to buy– an X on a map. Â But just like all the pirates in all the pirate movies, once I reached the these X’s, I started looking for another map. You never see Pirates who retire, because just like me, they never have enough, and are never satisfied, thinking their real happiness lies in the next treasure.
Just like that disaster trip to New Orleans, in my life, all of these things that I searched for and found didn’t end up being the “treasure” I thought they were going to be.
Got any other pirates out there? Ever put a giant X on something, a career, a relationship, a title, a house, a fill-in-the-blank, thinking this would be the treasure that made it worth it? Â And after making all the effort and energy into getting to that X, only to realize that in a very short time we had put an X on something else and set sail yet again?
Well put a big fat X on your calendar for this Wednesday as we start week one of our series:
X Marks the spot.
Invest and Invite, and you will inspire…
Pat
Pat Mancuso
patmancuso@mac.com
(703) 401-8302
FUEL
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Our mission is to create a comfortable, relevant and honest environment where men can explore and discuss aspects of life, purpose and faith.
We accomplish our mission by reviewing pertinent issues in men’s lives, examining them through relevant biblical principles, followed by a time of discussion with other men.
Wednesday mornings, September through May…and beyond
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