Saturday, September 6, 2008

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together!!!

I found myself saying that a lot while I was on the stream this summer.

See a rise, or a really nice cut bank that undoubtedly would be holding a fish.

Turn to whoever you're out fishing with....point your rod to identify a spot for them to see....

"Hey, drop a cast right over there."

The fly lands on the water, slowly starts to drift just down from where it landed....

POW! Fish on!

"I love it when a plan comes together!" I'd exalt.

But plans come in all shapes and sizes. Some are momentary, like casting to a fish. Others are five or ten year plans for one's life. Some work, some don't, but it's all a matter of how you adapt. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Last year around Christmas, Craig gave a number of us a book that really resonated with him called Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales. Fortunately, I haven't fallen into any grave life or death survival situations, but there's still a number of parts that have seemed timely to me as I've read portions of the book throughout the summer.

The author notes:
The human brain is particularly well suited to making complex plans that have an emotional component to drive motivation and behavior... The difficulty begins when reality doesn't match the plan.
Well, my plan was to be leaving Idaho this weekend and moving across country, but as I sit here typing this blog, anyone whose read the previous blog knows that's not the case. My reality has changed from where I expected it to be when I started this blog back in April.

But, I came to the realization that I could either wallow in heartache, or I could forge ahead. Renew my focus on the spirit of the journey which I'd set out on, and continue towards the ultimate happiness and fulfillment that I planned to create for myself.

The author's father was a pilot, and as a pilot myself, the lesson his father instilled in him seems an important one.
Plan the flight and fly the plan. But don't fall in love with the plan. Be open to a changing world and let go of the plan when necessary so that you can make a new plan. Then, as the world and the plan both go through their book of changes, you will always be ready to do the next right thing.
Ironically, a lot of my plan for myself revolved around being in love, but as that has unexpectedly unraveled, I've had to work to formulate new plans to keep myself motivated towards the ultimate goal.

As my book has changed, so has the plan. I'm doing my darnedest to continue on the best path, and keep my sights open to all available options, while still staying true to myself and loyal to those who have been so generous and supportive along my journey.

I outlined my general plan for the next year in the previous blog, and slowly but surely, I'm formulating my short term plan as I finish my summer in Idaho and prepare to head to Islamorada.

Bought a ticket today to Chicago for September 29 to October 6. Planning to take in the Ohio State vs Wisconsin game in Madison on Saturday night the 4th. (GO BUCKY!!!) The trip is during the week hunting in Idaho is closed between Archery and Rifle seasons for Elk and Deer. I'm not hunting at all, but doing my best to help Sid shuttle people wherever needed and work on a few other projects we've been discussing.

I'm also working on scheduling a couple days of fishing in up in Montana, which I'll hopefully have worked out in the next couple of weeks so that I can go after I get back in October.

Then, at the end of October, I'm looking forward to shooting some birds with Little Ricky from Little Rock, and then I'll head to Islamorada. The current plan would route me through Denver, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and then to North Carolina for a few days to make arrangements to get what I have in storage south.

Certainly, nothing is set in stone (well the ticket to Chicago is non-refundable), but it's certainly nice when a plan looks to be coming together.






3 comments:

Craig Reagor said...

That's my surrogate boy.
Good thinking.
What do you mean you're fishing in Montana?

Jeffrey Dickman said...

Since you taught me the art of fishing, and I'm pretty sure you know where Montana is, this seems like a trick question.

Renae said...

You've found your smile! Don't let it go.

~Ren