Choosing to Let a Plan Fail

     I’m sure you’ve heard it said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Well, I didn’t plan well when it came to writing this post.  My last-minute solution was to head somewhere with wireless internet.  I could then work on a post while keeping an eye on my preschooler as she played in a play place.  I had a good plan, and yet it was the wrong plan.

     Not long after I started typing, the woman next to me started a conversation with me.  At first I was polite, but still kept one eye on the computer screen.  After all, I had a plan and I was determined not to let it fail!  As she continued to talk, I learned a lot about her current life situation.  Though I’d known this woman for less than an hour, I could easily tell she needed someone to listen to her.  I decided to let my plan fail.  I shut the laptop and visited with her as we both kept an eye on the little ones in our care.

     Later, as I drove home, I realized that though my plan had failed, I had still somehow succeeded.  It also reminded me of how often I’ve followed my plan and still felt like I failed.  All too often, I’ve pushed ahead with my plans and ignored the needs of my children, husband, friends, or even strangers.  Today was a good reminder that sometimes the best days end with nothing checked off the to-do list.

     Of course, I was also reminded that procrastination is bad habit.  I plan on working on that…starting tomorrow.