There was a moment while sitting in that chair I finally realized exactly why I was there. It was because up until that moment, I’d spent my entire life working on a plan. Suddenly I didn’t have one and it scared the crap out of me. Not only was I about to embark on a new journey without a plan, but I was about to do it by myself, both for the first time ever.

The realization itself brought some relief; at least I knew the root of my unsettled feelings. Rational plans always worked in the past and surely a solid set of new ones were all that was needed, which became even more frustrating when I started tripping over what they should be.

A new approach was needed. I’d spent all this time either running toward the future or mulling in the past. What I needed was to sit the fuck still and just look around…even as I write the words it makes me smile because what I finally found was peace and contentment.

We admire those who accomplish goals and take extreme pride in our own. In our culture, the results represent our strength, discipline, and resourcefulness. I’m not saying we should throw goals in the garbage and hop on a gypsy wagon, but I challenge you to consider maybe people who have learned how to truly live in this moment peacefully without a plan are possibly the strongest, smartest, and most courageous people of them all.