Sometimes I struggle to balance plans and this moment. I don’t think I’m the only one.

What do dust, rain, and journeys have in common? They trigger the “Wait” mode. Wait until …

• the dust settles.
• the storm passes.
• we reach our destination.

Our books and social media are replete with be-in-the-moment advice.

• Don’t wait for the dust to settle. It never does. —Natalie Norton
• Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. —Vivian Greene
• The journey is the destination. —Dan Eldon

Solid. But sometimes confusing, especially for planners, because if we don’t make plans, how will we get anything done? To drive home the point, authors and memes remind us:

• A goal without a plan is just a wish. —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
• If you have no destination, you’ll never get there. —Harvey MacKay

This is our tight rope, balancing seemingly conflicting directives.

• Be soft AND set boundaries.
• Dream big AND be in the moment.
• Eye on the prize AND release attachment to the outcome.

Last week, I asked a friend about a beach trip I had to miss. She said the trip was great, but the best part was the four-hour drive each way, during which she had one-on-one chat time her travel mate. In case you missed the point: the drive was the best part of a great beach trip.

The key is doing both things: make plans AND stay open to the delights in the dust, a dance in the rain, and the joys of the journey. Sometimes the biggest prize is in this unexpected moment.

An Exercise in Balance

With this in mind, make a quick list of things you want to do today, this week, or by the end of the year. Then, tune into the moment, look around, listen, and right there next to your list of plans, make another list of the things you see, hear, taste, feel, and smell.

My list this morning:

• the gusts of wind against the chimes.
• the sound of a fussy chickadee close to me and the call of a bluebird in the distance.
• the lingering, smooth bitterness of coffee on my tongue.
• the smell of dirt in my garden and freshly cut grass a few houses down.
• the sun warm on my face and casting the shadow of my pen across the page.

What are your delights of the moment? They matter.

©Pennie Nichols. All Rights Reserved. 2024.