Disappointments and Planning Long- Term

As I planned some events for 2027 with a friend, I realized how reluctant I am to plan long-term. I never liked doing it because I always think, “What if it doesn’t happen?”

In my mind, it is better not to plan at all rather than plan and then be disappointed.

These are the mindsets we need to leave behind in 2027.

The truth is, whatever we plan for may not happen. I bought tickets to Lionel Richie and EWF in March for August, and the concert was postponed because of a medical emergency and canceled in September because Lionel Richie had a medical procedure.

Disappointments happen.

I didn’t anticipate my mother passing away in 2024, but it happened.

I am getting to the point where I am thinking about the next few years and planning ahead, even though I do not know what may happen in the world or in my life. I would rather have plans on the calendar than nothing at all.

So far for 2027, I already have five events planned. My thinking is that if I don’t plan for it, then it won’t happen.

I’m also learning to let go of my fear of disappointment.  The last few years have been so disappointing that, at this point, what do I have to lose by believing that something good will happen?

Planning ahead also gives me something to look forward to and breaks up the monotony of everyday life. I’m tired of the same old routine, and I want to meet new people, so I need to go where the people are.

I’m open to new connections

Finding Purpose

I regularly listen to the Mel Robbins podcast, so it was a treat when she had Oprah on to talk about finding purpose and other things.

People have made purpose too complicated and too monumental. Our purpose doesn’t have to be to become President and our purpose doesn’t have to mean that we are known to the masses

Social Media has exacerbated the idea that purpose means being famous and doing something “Instagrammable.”  We’ve conflated fame and “influence” (which is actually the ability to market well) with purpose.

We don’t need to be famous or make history to have purpose.

George Eliot reminds us that we should not worry about making the history books, but rather on making the world better:

“… for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so terrible for you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life and rest in unvisited tombs.”

Purpose is about being faithful where you are currently assigned and making it better.

Purpose is the parent that’s teaching her children how to be good citizens and thoughtful human beings.

Purpose is the teacher who is dedicated to their student’s success and encouraging them to think bigger than their current circumstances.

Purpose is the caregiver who makes someone comfortable and helps improve their quality of life.

Purpose is the crossing guard who listens to everyone’s problems and encourages them (this was my mother for many years. She did the same thing when she drove a school bus for special needs children)

Your job isn’t necessarily your purpose, but what you do at that job involves your purpose.

I have been struggling for the last few years because I am bored with my job and I want to move on. I want a job that is more intellectually stimulating and pays better. I also want to add more skills to my resume, so I have more options. I also want to meet new people, be part of a team, and grow professionally. I’ve been frustrated that I haven’t been able to find a new job.

It’s been a real bummer because I’ve been out of the workforce, and I don’t have the experience and skills I need to be competitive. It’s my own fault, and I do regret not quitting training sooner.

Even though I am ready to move on and fill up my own bucket, I’ve been thinking that maybe training is my assignment right now.

I’ve told myself this may be my purpose right now: helping people prepare for joint replacement surgery, see marked improvements in their health, and feel better. For some, it may be about fellowship and having someplace to go a few times a week.  Perhaps this is my purpose right now, and someday soon it will shift into something else.

Assignments may not be glamorous or even what we would like to be doing, but they have purpose, and sometimes they prepare us for the next phase of the journey. I believe every assignment is to prepare you for the next, and when you look back, you’ll see, “Oh, that’s why I did that. If I hadn’t done this, then that wouldn’t have happened.”