"I used to have all these plans and think 'Ah, I have my whole life figured out', but then I realized no matter how much I plan: life happens! So I find myself living day to day trying to do my best, embracing every moment as a learning opportunity and chance to get to know myself a little more."
Q'orianka Kilcher
Welcome to 2016! We're just over 30 days into a new year. They say new habits are formed after consistently doing them for 30 days straight. So now just over 30 days later, how are you doing with those plans made at the beginning of the year?
I'm sure there are those of you who responded 'Well, I'm right on track', and I commend you; however, I'm not so sure making plans is for me anymore. Do you know how many New Year's Eves I've spent yelling at the top of my lungs this is the year I will be debt-free, get married, and become a millionaire? It's safe to say if I had $100,000 for every time I did, I would actually BE a millionaire.
You're probably saying, 'Mickey, haven't you heard of The Secret?' or 'Where is your faith Mick?' It's still there and intact, no worries. To the former inquiry, I just watched the video for the umpteenth time.
Don't get me wrong, I have an amazing life filled with fond memories, but much of these things have come not as a result of my own carefully crafted plan that I worked diligently to bring to pass. In other words, many of these have not come in neat little packages as I envisioned them to be. Think more along the lines of a little package in a bigger one, which is in an even bigger one, and even that is within a bigger one. The excitement and anticipation of opening each one only to find another package to unwrap can be nerve wracking.
Instead, life works better for me when I remain open and take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. In crafting plans and setting expectations, I used to find myself more disappointed that the outcome didn't reach my declaration than just being thankful for whatever the outcome is. For example, no matter how much you plan to be debt-free, if there's no income then good luck! On the other hand, when life presents unemployment to you, take that opportunity to live the life of a stay-at-home mom or take on a new hobby with the help of free classes online or at the library.
Don't let the declaration of one goal drown out the opportunity to appreciate another; instead, live each moment the best way you know how.
While in graduate school, I convinced myself I could not enjoy New York City because I needed to study. When I graduated, I convinced myself I still could not enjoy NYC because I should be looking for a job. When I got the job (which didn't happen in my timing), I convinced myself I couldn't enjoy NYC because I had to be several steps ahead in my work. Life continually passed me by because I was so entangled with the plan.
So, no more planning for me. I envision.
Vision is the place where you ultimately want the plans to get you to in the future. We plan on having money but only in order to achieve the lifestyle we have believed can only come with said money. Do not overprioritize the plan for money but begin to envision the lifestyle.
Mickey Noella
Oh, and another thing...There are a few things I know for sure about my future - those little sneak peeks God has gifted me. Those things I'll continue to hold out for until they show themselves. Believing and receiving begins with the promise from God directed at me first, not the other way around. Even the faith MVPs listed in Hebrews 11 had a Word or a promise from God that was specifically tailored to them before they believed.
