I know in college it's really popular to plan things. You plan your semester. You plan your weeks. You plan your days. You plan your binge eating of Little Debbie snacks. You plan the fifth time to brush your teeth. You plan your photo shoot for your next album cover. You plan when you're going to water your cacti. You plan on crying in the corner of the library, because you watch a way-too-emotional McDonalds commercial about McLovin' people, and there's beef jerky stuck in your teeth, and you're trying to communicate to the person next to you that you're alright, but while your trying not to not show your teeth or breath on them, you fail to realize they aren't asking if you're okay--they're asking you to shut up.
Wait. No. We don't plan on that happening. Yet, it still does. Life still happens.
Twenty-nine years old, single, head full of dreads, and standing at almost six feet tall, meet Morgan. Morgan works nine months out of the year. She travels the other three. "I pack a backpack. I pick a place to visit. I recommend, Finca Magdalena de Ometepe. And I find a couch to crash on--a friend of a friend's great-grandma." So you just pack up and leave by yourself? "Yep. Submerge yourself in a new culture, and you'll grow in ways you didn't know were possible."
Besides traveling advice, what I really took away from talking with this new friend of mine, is this simple truth: everybody has a different path.
If you asked Morgan if she thought she would be single and still traveling at twenty-nine, she would say no. But she said, "I'm so blessed. I have cheap living expenses and stable job that allows me to do what I love." What about your relationship life? "That's non existent. But when I'm ready, I'll be happy with that lifestyle, too."
She loves her life. And some would look at it and say, "No way. not for me." But that's just it. It's not yours to have, even if you wanted it. And good thing, because I can think of about ten of my friends who would look horrible in dreads. Ew. Like I wouldn't be their friend anymore. Gross.(just kidding. I only have four friends.) But Morgan rocks it. I'll still be friends with Morgan. Even though I don't know how to say her last name, and we will never see each other again.
I've been studying the Fruits of the Spirit lately, and one thing I've found interesting is Joy isn't as close to happiness as we think. In fact, I've found Joy is closest to peace. It's not saying "I'M GOING TO SMILE WHEN MY GRANDMA DIES! HAHAH YEAH! DEATH!" Heck, Jesus cried even when He knew He would save Lazarus moments later. It's saying, even when things don't go as planned, find peace and contentment in where you are now that's true Joy.
Dreams are huge. And I'm not advocating "don't dream and have goals". I've wanted to be in the Peace Corps since I was ten years-old, and I hope I do that. (I met with them this week, and I'm on the right track!) However, if it's not the Peace Corps God wants me to join or invest in, I will be content with whatever I am doing and whoever I'm doing it with--even (especially) if I'm alone.
I would also like to take a moment to say: it's important to find people who support your dreams. Even if they wouldn't want them for themselves, or if they don't think it's possible. You should surround yourself with people who believe in you, and want you to succeed in anything short of sin. If it's glorying God and it's on your heart, friends and relationships should be the ones building you up and encouraging you along the way. I have been blessed beyond comprehension in this area.
For Christmas a few years ago, my sister gave me this ring to remind me to always go for my dream. "Even if it's not the Peace Corps, Chloe, never give up on yourself. I'm your biggest fan."
Recap
You can't plan your whole life.
Everybody's life is different. Don't compare. If you don't like it; it's not your life to love. Do something else.
Have Big dreams, because you're created by a Big God.
Support your friends and surround yourself with supportive friends. Don't get bitter towards the ones who don't. Remember the ones who do.
