Creating a Timeless Constellation: Navigating Transition with a Map of Memories and Meaning

Sometimes, I am asked where I find my inspiration for some of the things I write. I can honestly say that I am inspired by people and things all around me in my daily life. This piece was inspired by a classmate (AR, so as not to embarrass them), who I am honored to learn from regularly. AR is a thought leader and a trailblazer in their field, and they had the initial seed for this article – so, with huge thanks to AR.

As we navigate life, many of us are told to “follow your north star”—a single, unwavering point in the vast sky of possibility. But as someone who has spent years in the military and now witnessed countless veterans transition to civilian life, I’ve come to realize that one fixed point rarely serves all the twists and turns that life presents. Instead, it’s a constellation of stars, memories, and lessons that can truly guide us. The key is to help each individual find not just one singular purpose but rather a collection of guiding stars. This unique constellation reflects their own truths, values, and dreams.

This approach to transition, whether it’s from military to civilian life or any significant life change, is less about a singular destination and more about the journey and learning to adapt. By creating a constellation rather than focusing on one point, we can build a path for ourselves and one that others can follow and add to later. We may be the first to travel the path, but we will not be the last, and something we learn will certainly help those who follow. It’s about making memories timeless and sharing them in a way that honors each of our own experiences while contributing to a broader, more enduring map of life for others.

The Constellation of Memories and Meaning

In the military, transitions are constant and foundational. Each deployment, assignment, duty station, and role brings unique experiences that shape who we are and our sense of self. When transitioning to civilian life, we often revisit these memories—not just as they happened but as they continue to evolve with us. There’s a power in reflecting on our past with this perspective, allowing each moment to be reimagined and reinterpreted, each becoming a star in our constellation. We learn from these reflections and create this constellation.  A constellation that helps us navigate the future.  These stars are not fixed points but dynamic, guiding us as we learn, adapt, and grow, reminding us of who we were, steeling us in who we are, and inspiring us to be who we want to be.

When viewed collectively, memories become more than a record of what happened; they become a guidepost to who we are becoming. Like reincarnation, where a soul carries lessons from one life to the next, we bring forward our lessons learned to become better versions of ourselves—and, crucially, we share those memories to help others find their way. And each star can become part of a different constellation that helps guide someone else. In this way, memories transcend time, becoming part of a legacy that extends beyond our individual lives. 

When veterans transition from the military, they often miss this sense of belonging. In service, you’re part of a tribe, bound by a mission that’s larger than yourself. Transitioning out of that space can feel disorienting. Veterans require a bridge; they can use these new constellations to rediscover themselves and a new purpose. By embracing these powerful connections, veterans—and all of us—can find a renewed sense of alignment with the world.

Idealizing Memories to Build Timeless Legacies

As we reflect on our experiences, we often find ourselves polishing them, idealizing them until they resemble not just what was, but what we needed them to be. This is not a flaw—it’s a human tendency that helps us see our lives through the lens of growth. By consciously engaging with this process, we can craft memories that resonate with truth, not as objective facts, but as timeless legacies. We create a version of our past that informs and inspires our future.

By focusing on a constellation rather than a single north star, we embrace this idealization. Each star—each memory—becomes its own truth, a source of light for those who come after us. This constellation is uniquely our own, but it’s also a part of the greater sky. Just as we’ve learned from those who walked before us, we pass on our own learnings to guide others. In sharing our idealized memories, we invite others to build upon them, creating a constellation that grows brighter with each new addition.

Crafting Constellations for the Next Generation

So, how do we make these memories timeless? We do it by passing them on, by sharing our stories. By allowing each memory to shine as part of a greater constellation, we create a map that others can follow, each star illuminating a path, each path helping others find their way in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain. It’s not about adhering to one narrow truth; it’s about acknowledging that each of our experiences is its own truth. Together, these truths form a constellation that resonates, expands, and evolves.

As we move forward, let’s focus not just on a single destination but on the constellations, we create along the way. Let’s celebrate our memories and make them timeless, not by holding on to them as they were, but by allowing them to evolve, to inspire, and to guide. This is how we build a legacy—a constellation for future generations.

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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on November 5, 2024.

JC Glick serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The COMMIT Foundation. JC brings with him a wealth of experience as a leadership consultant and career Army officer and is driven by a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition journey. Since transitioning from 20 years of military service in 2015, JC has been a founder and partner of two leadership companies, where his clients included Fortune 500 companies, international non-profit organizations, government agencies, the NFL, numerous NFL and NBA teams, and multiple NCAA programs.

Over the course of his Army career, JC spent over seven years in the Ranger regiment, serving in two Ranger Battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters, participating in the Best Ranger Competition twice, and has over seven and a half years of command time with 11 operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Afghanistan. JC is the author of two books, including A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown. In 2017, he was selected as a TEDX Speaker and delivered Rethinking Leadership at TEDX Hammond. JC is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and is a Liberty Fellow, part of the Aspen Institute.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.