Welcome back!
Planning our destiny is a lot like running the rapids. What appears to be the easiest way through a challenge may actually set us up for greater difficulty later. We have to be thinking at least three steps ahead: 1) what’s right out in front of us, 2) what’s in the middle distance, and 3) what’s around the next bend. We’ll need to develop mastery over how to navigate conditions and steer our destiny around whatever rapids arise. We can run scared hoping there won’t be any wind, storms, or rough waters. Or we can simply accept that the river has much to teach us about life, and then have a lot of fun planning, strategizing, and enjoying the ride around the obstacles. Now that you know what the planning process entails, it’s time to get started. Determine where you are right now in relation to your destiny, and what needs to be done to get the raft in the water. Perhaps you have a fantastic idea but haven’t thought through the details yet. That’s great! Your starting point is to decide the stretch of water you want to run, find or make a map, and then plan the trip using the three steps above. You’ll need to assess what progress can easily be made with the resources you already have, and what resources are needed to close the gap. Perhaps you have a decent raft but the puppy chewed up one of the paddles, and a trip to the sporting goods store is in order. That will take time, logistics, and money. It will be the same for every aspect of your planning. And right now if you have no idea about what’s needed to get out on the water, that’s ok too. Let yourself have fun exploring options.
A final note on this topic to those of you who tend towards great enthusiasm and quick action like I do. Pause long enough to consider your family, your career, and any other responsibilities you have while you are planning your adventure. The point of this book is to help people find a way to make their destiny their reality while honoring their current obligations. As we’ve previously talked about, most of us can’t afford the time, or money, or both, to quit our jobs as we embark on this new journey. It can be a nettlesome challenge to squeeze money out of the budget and carve time out of the calendar, but for most of us that’s the reality. It’s one of the rapids we’ll have to face as soon as the raft is in the water, and chances are we’ll encounter those submerged rocks again and again. But remember, we can have fun navigating those obstacles. By coming up with a plan to deal with the right now, middle distance, and next bend phases of operations, we put ourselves in a position to one day enjoy that well deserved gourmet dinner along the riverbank.
Until next time, I’ll be praying for you to take a good look at the three distances, and then launch out into the current.
