In the rushing and hustling of life which we all experience, plans for our life’s journey are not always top of mind. Have you taken time lately to think about your future and your goals? Only after you give clear thought to your personal plans will you be able to measure your personal growth. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” said Benjamin Franklin, when he and the Founding Fathers were working to create a new country free from British rule. He knew planning was an important key to their success.
A planning document that puts structure around your ideas is another helpful tool. You also need drive and motivation. Without your vision to set the plan in motion, there is really no point in following through. Gloria Steinem understood that before there is a plan, there is a dream. She said, “without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities.”
Keep positive thoughts about the future because your new norm has immense possibilities for you to become the best that you can be caring for yourself and each other. We live in a diverse world so your plans should consider diversity from a global perspective. This new norm that we are living requires us not only to imagine and dream about the future of this world, but it requires us to reimagine our plans for the future.
Abraham Lincoln said, “the best way to predict your future is to create it.” Creativity should be at the forefront of your capacity to move forward with new and invigorating ideas. As you dream about the future, remember the great words of assurance from God: “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you hope and the future.”
Sometimes it is easy to get overly excited about your plans causing you to neglect the all-important substance of your effort. You may need to curb your enthusiasm just a little in order to focus and craft a thorough plan to lead you to your goal, whether that is furthering your education, spending more time with you family, leading your organization, seeking a political career, or starting a business.
Every person should know the importance of planning. Just try executing your future without it. And Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
