What Is Your 'North Star'?
2024-09-15
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1Now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2In life, there are times when we lose our way, both literally and figuratively.
3We might get lost walking in the woods or sailing at sea.
4Those are examples of being literally lost.
5We could also lose our way while on our career path.
6That is an example of being figuratively lost.
7If you are physically lost and do not have a compass, you could use the stars in the night sky to know which way to go, especially the North Star.
8Experts at NASA, America's space agency, say this about the North Star: "If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, it can help you orient yourself and find your way, as it's located in the direction of true north (or geographic north, as opposed to magnetic north).
9They add that the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky.
10But it is usually easy to see, even from cities.
11The North Star can also help if you get lost figuratively.
12As the world changes around you and grows more complex, you can look to your North Star to help guide you.
13Your North Star can keep you focused and on track.
14It reminds you of what is important.
15Some people may say their North Star is their guiding light.
16It is something very important to them, and it keeps them on the right path.
17Your North Star can also be your personal mission statement.
18It can include your principles and guiding beliefs.
19Your North Star can give your life meaning and direction.
20For some people, their North Star may be a religion.
21For others, it might be a purpose, like teaching people to read.
22Or a North Star can be a mix of important things.
23A similar term for North Star is your moral compass.
24Like the North Star, a moral compass points you in the right direction.
25There is another term that is linked to the North Star.
26A lodestar is also a star which is used to find one's way.
27And it can also mean a person who serves as an inspiration, model or guide.
28The Merriam Webster online dictionary explains that both meanings of "lodestar" date back to the 1300s.
29The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer used both meanings of the word in his poems.
30However, by the 1600s, the literal meaning fell out of common use.
31Today, we still use "lodestar" in a figurative way meaning something or someone who guides us.
32During a difficult or important time, many things can act as your North Star or lodestar.
33For example, when a woman went through a difficult divorce, her close friend was her lodestar and helped her through it.
34Another example might be when a music teacher and musician moved to a new city.
35He did not know anyone.
36He felt lost and alone.
37So, music was his North Star.
38It kept him busy, provided him with employment, and later led to great friendships with other musicians.
39And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1Now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2In life, there are times when we lose our way, both literally and figuratively. 3We might get lost walking in the woods or sailing at sea. Those are examples of being literally lost. We could also lose our way while on our career path. That is an example of being figuratively lost. 4If you are physically lost and do not have a compass, you could use the stars in the night sky to know which way to go, especially the North Star. 5Experts at NASA, America's space agency, say this about the North Star: "If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, it can help you orient yourself and find your way, as it's located in the direction of true north (or geographic north, as opposed to magnetic north). 6They add that the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. But it is usually easy to see, even from cities. 7The North Star can also help if you get lost figuratively. 8As the world changes around you and grows more complex, you can look to your North Star to help guide you. Your North Star can keep you focused and on track. It reminds you of what is important. 9Some people may say their North Star is their guiding light. It is something very important to them, and it keeps them on the right path. 10Your North Star can also be your personal mission statement. It can include your principles and guiding beliefs. Your North Star can give your life meaning and direction. 11For some people, their North Star may be a religion. For others, it might be a purpose, like teaching people to read. Or a North Star can be a mix of important things. 12A similar term for North Star is your moral compass. Like the North Star, a moral compass points you in the right direction. 13There is another term that is linked to the North Star. A lodestar is also a star which is used to find one's way. And it can also mean a person who serves as an inspiration, model or guide. 14The Merriam Webster online dictionary explains that both meanings of "lodestar" date back to the 1300s. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer used both meanings of the word in his poems. However, by the 1600s, the literal meaning fell out of common use. Today, we still use "lodestar" in a figurative way meaning something or someone who guides us. 15During a difficult or important time, many things can act as your North Star or lodestar. 16For example, when a woman went through a difficult divorce, her close friend was her lodestar and helped her through it. 17Another example might be when a music teacher and musician moved to a new city. He did not know anyone. He felt lost and alone. So, music was his North Star. It kept him busy, provided him with employment, and later led to great friendships with other musicians. 18And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 19Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 20_______________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22literally -adv. the actual definition of a word or how it is normally used 23figuratively -adv. an imaginative use of words that is not direct or literal 24compass -n. a device that, in its simplest form, points to one of the magnetic poles of Earth 25orient -v. to put something in the right position related to other things 26magnetic -adj. having the qualities of magnetism 27focus -v. to place your energy and attention in one place 28on track -phrase going as expected and in the right direction 29mission statement -n. a statement of purpose in which a person or company says what the mean to do and what causes them to do it 30principle -n. a moral rule or belief that helps you know what is right and what is wrong 31inspiration -n. something that provides energy and ideas to carry out an action 32divorce -n. the action or an instance of legally ending a marriage 33We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expression in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here.