Many of us have probably heard before that it is important to know exactly where we are going in life and to make plans that will move us in the direction we want to go.
We have been told that in order to achieve what we really desire, we must set goals, make plans and then take action on those plans so we can accomplish everything we want.
However, is that absolutely true?
Is life really about planning out every single step and then working hard day after day to complete those plans and accomplish the goals we have set?
Perhaps there is something else …
The possibility of Today:
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not against knowing what we want, setting goals and then working to get what we want. In fact, that is definitely a course of action I have followed. I have set goals, made plans and then worked really hard at executing those plans.
However, if we really want to achieve all we were meant to do, we will also be open to allowing life to unfold in all the amazing ways it was designed to.
This means we have to let go a little. We have to recognize that while it is great to have our plans, there are other things we have to allow to just happen. We have to leave room in our lives to allow things to evolve and that means our life can’t just be about our goals and our plans.
We have to be open and willing to allow certain things that were meant to be to come into our life, and many of those things may actually be things we didn’t plan or even imagine for ourselves.
We have to sometimes be willing to travel in the passenger seat and know that we will be guided in the right direction.
And, that means we can’t expect to perfectly plan out everything.
Yes, we should lean in the direction that feels right for us at the moment and work on the plans we have created, but we also have to let go a little and let things flow. We have to realize that since we don’t know it all, we can’t plan it all and be willing to trust in whatever comes our way.
How to use this alternaview:
1. Be Flexible. Don’t think you have to plan everything. Plans are great, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow and that means you have to be open and flexible. If you are too rigid or think that things have to go a certain way, you constrict the natural flow that should be a part of your life.
2. If you are being pulled in a certain direction, allow yourself to go in that direction (even if it is not in your plans). Realize that sometimes the best things don’t happen according to plan.
3. Believe in the truism … there is wisdom in uncertainty. Sometimes it really is good to not know. When you really believe this, you trust in whatever comes your way and this creates the right type of energy for the right things to happen.
4. Know that Life Unfolds in the Most Amazing Ways. Realize your life has the potential to be better than you ever imagined. Even if you are a big dreamer, life can deliver you things beyond your wildest dreams. However, in order for that to happen, you have to be open to living and learning and trust in whatever comes your way.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
Sometimes, you just can’t do things you love. It means, you’re pulled by society. Some of us believe that getting pulled by society is called ‘not living a life of our dreams’ but that probably is wrong. Accepting and finding pleasure in things you can do and are allowed to do is also a wonderful way to live.
Hi Sibyl,
This is beautiful. Wonderful things do happen when we allow ourselves to be flexiable. Trying to stick to a rigid, straight path plan is fighting. I’d much rather let go and enjoy the journey. It feels great to not have to be in control of everything. Thanks Sibyl.
Dandy: I agree with you that it is much better to let go and enjoy the journey. You don’t want to over micromanage your life or constrict the flow that will happen naturally if you allow it. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
This is definitely an alternative way to live. I think there are 2 main camps. One – the goal oriented and the other is more “go with the flow”. I usually try to strike a balance with both of them. If you go with the flow too much, you end up having society dictate what kind of life you live. If you’re too goal oriented, you make life a huge laundry list, not something to be enjoyed. For me, I have a set of goals, but I make sure the process is something I will enjoy, have fun, and make me fulfilled =)
Henway: Thanks for the comment and I like the approach you shared. I think that striking a balance between the 2 is a great way to move through life. It is all about keeping things in balance and not planning too much or too little. Great point. Thanks for the comment.
Yea baby, love this Sibyl. What I call intentional living – having an overall intention that you move towards but allowing yourself to respond and explore options and possibilities as they arise. After all who has ever gone through a life purely by deciding everything that will happen and never has to move off track? Life is change in flow so flow with it and change and grow. At least that’s my inttention!
John: I kind of thought you would agree with this one. I remember you commenting a while back that you were not the world’s biggest fan of goals. I do think this is a great approach to living and making the progress you should. Life is about flow and change as you said and that means you have to be flexible enough to allow it to unfold.
Hi Sibyl!
I can only echo the sentiments shared here. It’s so important to stay flexible in live. I always like to say…the only thing you can count on in life is change. This is a key reason why flexibility is critical!
Marlee: It is so true that the only thing you can count on is that things will change. I agree with you that being flexible definitely comes in handy to manage through things continually changing. It really is the best way to embrace uncertainty and let life flow. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
Sibyl,
Another great post chock full of great tips. I especially agree that by letting go we might see our life unfold in unexpected and more sensational ways than we could have hoped for though!
Angela: Thanks for the comment and the kind words. So glad that you liked the post and I really appreciated what you said about seeing our life unfold in the best ways. That really is what it is all about.
Hi Sibyl,
The key to this alternaview, as you said in this post, is to listen. When we get quiet enough to determine our direction, it is often there, clear as anything. Thanks for these reminders to go with the flow.
Gail: I love what you shared and it is so true. When we are quiet enough and take time to ourselves, we can usually find our own answers and be pointed in the right direction. It is all about being open enough and listening. Thanks so much for the comment. Much appreciated.
Hi Sibyl!
I still own my Toyota SR5 longbed pickup that I bought new in 1980…she’s my good old friend.
I would not mind being in “the passenger seat” and let someone else drive her.
The Bette Davis quote comes to mind:
“Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night!”
…’Windows Are Rolled Down’ by Amos Lee…what a great song on the radio while driving!
Happy ‘International Womans Day’ to all the fine women here!
Sometimes we really do have to let go. Thanks for the comment Rand.
…you are so right Sibyl. It was only a little speed bump that I went over. No big deal to worry about. So much is unfolding for me for the positive right now…I am truely blessed. Thank you for all your good direction. If you are here in California by Spring, the desert will have a great bloom this year… well worth driving out to see.
hello sibyl
how are you?
Is life really about planning out every single step and then working hard day after day to complete those plans……….
my response: hmmh!! of course not (no matter how controversial it seems) because at times we just stumble on things and they take off from there.
your suggestions are timely because being flexible gives you the opportunity to work with your gut instincts or use your intiution
it also opens you up to different channels of learning which may involve risks and i guess thats were truism comes into play.
yielding to new/unplanned developments at a stable/controllable pace could make ones dreams unfold in phases because it appears one is gravitating towards the right direction.
take care of yourself and enjoy the rest of the day.
Ayo: I like that and it is so true. If we aren’t listening to our intuition and following our gut instincts then we are not relying on our inner compass. I really thought that was such a great point you made. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and thanks for the comment. Much appreciated.
My congrats Sibyl! Being flexible with our plans is vital for our inner health. Of course we have to make plans to use them as benchmarks, but the context in which we act, is fluid, so have to be our plans.
My congrats Sibyl! Great article. Being flexible with our plans is vital for our inner health. Of course we have to make plans and use them as benchmarks in order to be motivated and persistent. Nevertheless, the context, in which we act, is fluid, so have to be our approach to planning. If something doesn’t go according to plan, it’s not the end of the world.
Steven: Thanks for the comment. It is so true that we have to be flexible. Sometimes it is hard to recognize and appreciate that fact, but it really is the case. It is all about being open enough to let things happen and that means sometimes we have to let go a little and be flexible. Thanks again for the comment. Much appreciated.
Very good post! I agree. All that there is, is right NOW. This very moment. Nothing else exists. Those who can consciously live in each Now moment are way ahead in finding happiness in life. As you say, goals have their place. But, let’s take college for example. You want to major in so-and-so. You will only reach that goal one semester at a time. In most cases, there will be 8 semesters. So, you find out what classes will be needed for those 8 semesters. Then, you move semester by semester to reach your goal. But once you’ve got it planned out, forget about it! Just live each day, and each Now moment of each day. Everything will work out as it should. Peace and Love!
Ricky: Thanks for the comment. It is so true. It all is about realizing that the only moment we have is the one that is in front of us and doing all we can to live that moment to the fullest. Thanks again for the comment and stopping by the alternaview.
Thankyou for a breath of sanity Sibyl. We get a bit arrogant sometimes. “I’m going to rule the universe.” A bit of humility surely is the beginning of wisdom (as I think some wise person or another said one time).
Very thankful for your balance and input here. All the very best.
Christopher: Thanks for the comment. It is so true that we can sometimes get carried away with ourselves
We really do have to keep things in balance. It is so true. So glad that you enjoyed the post. Thanks for the comment and stopping by.
Hi Sibyl,
While planning is important, it is not everything. As anyone who has plans would know, plans rarely turn out as planned. There are too many unforeseeable circumstances that can upset our finely laid plans. The important thing as you rightly point out is to remain flexible and to adapt. It could also be that the universe has important lessons in store for us that are contrary to our plans. Unless we master these lessons, it is hard for us to move forward.
Thank you for sharing this alternaview!
Irving the Vizier
Irving: Thanks for the comment. It really is so true that usually the best plans never happen as we would expect them to. It is all about being flexible and opening to going with the flow. I appreciate what you said about not always knowing what lessons are in store for us. It is so true. Thanks for the comment again and thanks for stopping by.
Sibyl,
I like to think of life as a river. It flows. You can waste all of the time that you want to trying to determine your path but it is not up to you where your journey ends. There may be a stone that changes your direction from the brook to the rapids. There might be a stick that forces you along the shore to be used to quench the thirst of a tree and allow you to be the energy needed to bring forth fruit. I say live like the river. Flow with it. Great Post!
Frank: Thanks for the comment. I love that analogy and you are so right … you really do have to flow with life. That is really how you learn the most and enjoy the journey. Thanks so much for the comment. Much appreciated.
Hi Sibyl,
Very nice post! I agree with you we do have to set goals, plan, and take action, but we also have to leave some room for flexbility. If we are not flexible, then we will encounter obstacles that could impede our growth. Flexibility and depending on God is essential. Thanks for sharing my friend
Dia: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. We really do have to strike that perfect balance. Sometimes easier said than done, but we have to know when to plan and when to just let things happen. Thanks again for the comment.