Today's Letter is the Letter P

I was thinking about two "p" words today that we have a tendency to base our entire lives on, plans and purpose. One, our plans, depends on the other, our purpose.
First we try to decide our purpose. We try to figure out why we are put on this earth and what we are destined to do, almost denying the little control we have over our lives. When we are little, we haven't been jaded by life's experiences so we have those dreams of being the President of the United States, a lawyer, a doctor, or a fireman. Then we grow up and learn the realities of those careers. For example, when I was little I wanted to be a ballet dancer; I thought those dancers were beautiful and it was like art in motion. Then I hit puberty and developed boobs, hips, and a butt; therefore the dream of being a ballet dancer was gone.
As we gain knowledge and experience, our aspirations and ambitions change until we find something we believe to be the right fit. Some people are lucky and are able to manifest those dreams of being a lawyer, doctor, or fireman into reality, but most of us have to adapt. And like survival of the fittest, those who are able to adapt are more likely to survive.
After we figure out our purpose or figure out what we want to do with the rest of our lives, we make plans. We decide how we want to go about accomplishing our goals. We work hard to get the grades to go to the great school to get that piece of paper to get that job right out of college that pays well with the opportunity for advance. Unfortunately, for the majority of us it doesn't happen like that. Often times our plans are interrupted or detoured.
The best thing to do when that happens is to just go with the flow. The more we try to control our lives the more of a struggle life will be. So we have to learn to let go; the universe is going to behave as it desires. It is not our job to dictate life's path but to make the most of it.
While you are making your plans don't forget to live. While you are planning the future, don't forget to experience the present. Happiness is here in the moment and the present is truly all we have. I used to believe that the saying "everything happens for a reason," was corny, ridiculous, and just something someone made up to make us feel better when crappy shit happens to us. Now I truly believe that there is a plan and things are meant to happen the way they happen. The key is to cope when the unexpected happens and be open to the wonderful surprises. If you truly want something, and it will truly make you happy, it will happen.
Oh, another piece of advice; nothing is what you expect it to be. It may be harder, easier, more complicated, or less challenging; it may bore you to tears or make you more excited than you've ever been.
So stop making plans. And making plans and setting goals are two different things. Goals and ambitions are extremely important, just believe you will get there and don't even try to dictate the road along the way. It's like Space Mountain; you can't see where you are going and you don't know what hills and obstacles will be in the way, but the experience will be a lot of fun and once you get to the end, you will want to ride it again. :)
And well, in terms of your purpose, just follow your instinct. It is difficult for us to trust ourselves and trust what we want. There are so many voices telling us what is right for us and what we SHOULD do, we almost can't even hear our own consciousness. When something just feels right, it is right, and follow that feeling. You may make a mistake, choose the wrong way, or take the wrong advice, but that's life and there is no way to avoid it. So stop trying to avoid it and embrace it; you will most likely learn from the imperfections, the trials, and the struggles. Think of them as tools versus a crisis. Think of them as methods of learning versus a problem. Think of them as growing pains instead of tragedy.
Put all of your good energy into life and the universe will deliver it right back to you.