According to Plan

Overheard at Panera's today; "If everything goes according to plan...". It has to be one of the silliest things we say. When was the last time that anything went "according to plan" in your life? I, like everyone else, make plans and imagine a general outline of how I want to proceed. In reality, the plan never goes as planned and I think that is a good thing. In my experience, it is the detours, challenges, and surprises that enrich my life. The lessons learned are not in the plan but in facing the unexpected.

In this season of my life, I try to practice surrendering more then planning. I'm attempting to be more open to intuition,opportunity, and God's will. For me, that begins with prayer each day. A recognition that "being in charge" is simply an illusion. That much of my life has been shaped by chance or luck or destiny. The real challenge is discerning what to do when the plan goes off the rails. So, after surrendering my will, I pray for discernment. For the wisdom to know what to do. Well, anyway, that's my plan.

Election Day Eve

This election season has left me feeling discouraged, depressed, and cynical. I am a bit of a political junkie and usually approach an election with both fascination and anticipation. This year, however, the angry words and accusations and attacks have sucked the usual excitement and hope right out of me. Despite all of this, I still believe in our system. Alan Forray writing in the Saturday, October 30, edition of the Times Union articuled how I am approaching this Tuesday.
"Maybe it is altogether futile, but I intend to vote on Tuesday. I will do so because in a democracy, it is my right, my obligation, and my job. Instead of just shouting that it's time to "Vote them all out," I'm voting for the candidates who, at the very least, have indicated that they'd like to try and do something."