It's All About Timing

Sometimes in life, the timing has to be right.  I took a 'StrenghtsFinder 2.0' test this afternoon, and one of my 'strengths' is Adaptability -- apparently I like to live in the moment, rather than planning too much for the future.

At first, I totally thought the results wouldn't reflect me...but they actually did (after a series of choices for which I had no clear preference).  And at this point in my life, I actually embrace living in the moment much more than I ever have before.  I used to be one of those people who experienced great angst over uncertainty in my life (even though I have very little control over anything), and so was also anxious to stick as much to a plan as possible.  This annoyed my then-boyfriend now-husband to no end (still does).  I still kind of am that way, but am much more accepting of unanticipated turns in the road than I used to be.

Over the last few years, I started to think the pendulum had swung too far the other way because a lot of my peers at work had '5 year plans'.  I never could make myself come up with one, because I think that sort of spoils the fun in life a bit.  There's only so much influence I can exert on my future.  Yes, I can take that photography class and keep at it.  Yes, I can volunteer to play guitar at my church and keep that up.But at the end of the day, it's also just as much about the timing being right and the right opportunities presenting themselves that lead to a seize the moment kind of thing.  I love that.  There's nothing better than something completely unexpected and awesome coming together because of a complete confluence of factors that just makes something wonderful happen!

I just came to this realization while watching CBS News Sunday Morning.  They had a piece on the coming back together of No Doubt.  I remember loving them when I was a teenager, and listening to their songs again literally makes me that age again, with all of the drama and angst that went with it.  I'm not quite as enthralled as I used to be, but it does take me back.  As I was watching, I realized that they probably split up because they were at different places in their lives.  Two band members wanted to keep going, one band member wanted to pursue his golf career, and Gwen Stefani went solo and started 3 clothing lines.  The timing in their own lives changed their minds about being in the band.  Ultimately, after 8 years, everyone had kids.  And now, they're getting back together.  The timing changed their minds. They were again probably back on similar life paths and that made the band make sense to them again.

I do feel like I'm blathering here a bit, but I think sometimes we don't give our instincts enough credit.  That we second guess ourselves unnecessarily, and in so doing fail to realize what's right in front of us and how awesome it would be to just seize the moment for good or bad.  Because if we didn't realize the perfection of the present moment, we would also fail to recognize the potential for greatness it possesses.

So go out there and do the thing that scares you.  Be that guy/girl.  Ask them out.  Sell yourself into a job.  Reconcile that relationship.  Bare your soul.  Admit your longings.  Live your life and take the good and the bad.  The timing is now.