Thoughts on Life Plans

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us"
---Joseph Campbell

I have always tried to plan out my life.
It never turns out the way that I have planned.
It is always better.

I was going to go to school to be a photographer, however, I had a feeling that I should apply for nursing school, so I did. I was sure that I was never going to be accepted, but I was. I had plans to go on a mission, graduate, then travel the world doing humanitarian nursing work. At age 21 I got married instead. After graduation I planned to stay in Utah for a while, get a job, and start a family. I am unemployed, not expecting a baby, and living in my sister-in-law’s basement while preparing to move to nowhere, Illinois in a few months; not exactly in-line with my original plan.

But life is so good and much better than anything I had envisioned for myself. I am learning that as I diligently pray for guidance, strive to follow the Spirit, and put my trust in the Lord’s plan for me, I can see evidence of the Lord gently leading me to this wonderful, unexpected life that holds so much joy and happiness for me. I am not saying that we shouldn’t try to make plans in life, but I have learned that I must be willing to give up those plans when I feel the Spirit directing me down a different path. The Lord knows best what I need in life, and if I follow His plan I will truly find the happiness that I want in life, even if not in the way that I thought.

I don’t know where this life will take me, but I am prepared to be flexible and adventurous, and truly have the life that is waiting for me