My longtime and super wise friend Jane and I used to have joking discussions about her penchants to plan just about everything, and my penchant for playing it all by ear.
I used to think my spontanaeity was part of my charm.
Lately, I wonder if that was the case, or if it was just, well, ill-planned. Or irresponsible. Or fun for that moment, but not now.
Are you a planner? Either way, has your mode benefited you? I seriously want to hear. I feel if I'm at a stage of life where I'm questioning my own wisdom (or lack thereof) in this area, then I need to feel out what there is to know about it.
So speak up, please. If you don't chime in, who will?
I am a Type A planner....I have a household binder, I plan meals for 2 weeks at a time, have a pre-printed shopping list, the whole deal. And I will say this: it's just the way I am, it comes easily to me, and I don't think I could ever force myself to NOT be that way. I would guess the reverse is true for your personality type, too. Furthermore, I ADORE my non-planner friends! There's one in particular that we joke about me having a AA personality, and she being a C. I love being around her, just soaking her up attitude of taking life one step at a time. She has four (count 'em, 4) wonderful children, and while they are usually late to wherever they are going, they have fun and it works for them. Wouldn't work for me - I'd be a basket case - but I do want to try to be a little more like that, for the sake of my kids and my sanity. I say embrace this part of your personality!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachael! I guess I wonder if it's wise to be that person who has never had 5- or 10-year goals, but who has just let life happen. While I love being spontaneous (and yes, it really does come naturally), I hate not to be a good steward of the time God's given me. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you should embrace who you are...we love the spontaneous Rebekah! Although, I think a possible answer to the question about whether to plan or not to plan can be summed up in one word - balance. I am definitely the planner, and I still love to order as much of my life as possible. However, I've learned through the years that planning is not always possible or even necessary, and sometimes when I plan too much, I find myself taking things into my own hands and not giving God much room to direct my paths. So, while I still plan what my weekend will look like or how I will get everything done in a work day, I try to avoid being too terribly attached to my plans. For me, I'm looking for balance, and I'm happy to report that my pendulum has swung a little closer to your way of doing things. It was really eye-opening for me when you were coming to the Coast one time and asked me about when and where we should meet to visit, and I said, "Let's just play it by ear." For that brief moment, we had switched roles, and it felt good!
ReplyDeleteSweet Jane, as late (in hour, as in time) as it is for a reply, I'm finding myself stumbling upon this post and your comment and thinking, hmmm, that Jane is a wise, wise woman. As is that Rachael Armitt Davis. I do just love you two so wholeheartedly. :-) Xoxo!
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