Going With It.

After two months of super-tightly planned activity (something new for me.  See Planning Ahead.), I've found myself, once again, with no plans and little driving ambition to do anything specific.  The morning Kali and I left Eureka and headed to Whitefish, I was open to anything.  I pondered the endless options open to me and realized that I would not be able to take any decisive action.  Nothing was pulling me strongly.  Knowing I have little money left and two months before my next planned job, did narrow things a bit, but still, the options were pretty much endless.  As it (always) turns out, no decision making was necessary in determining the next course of action.

Although I would have been perfectly happy to hang in Montana, another opportunity has presented itself, that seems even more perfect.  A house-sitting and farm work gig, in southern Oregon, one of my new favorite locales, has fallen in my lap.  I'm on my way.  Thank you very much.

This is where the balance between planning ahead and going with the flow is going to come into play.  "Going with it" to Oregon and staying in one spot for a minute and saving up a bit will allow me to plan ahead and execute the next adventures.  And since the adventures I have in mind involve body punishing activities, some routine will better allow me to properly prepare my body for the ass-kicking.

I have a few events in the next few months in mind.  Committing myself to those will allow me the freedom to focus on what is in front of me, instead of wondering about and contemplating the future.  It is as if I am free-er when I have some sort of parameters.  Hmmm.

So, it looks like more exciting times ahead.  Currently, I've been enjoying a nice few days of relaxing in Whitefish.  Ran a weekly road race put on by a friend, who has started a running club, since I left.  Ran on the new and partially completed Whitefish Trail.  Dance party last night.  Lots of sleeping and internetting.  Visiting friends.  Very chill.

Tomorrow, Kali and I are commencing the southward travel.  We'll take a "new for me" route back to Missoula, with a stop for a hike/run along the way.  We plan to kick it in Missoula for a few days, then possibly hit some hot springs en route to Boise, where Kali is flying out in a week.  I'll continue onward to southern Oregon, with a multitude of possibilities for fun along the way.  

Planning Ahead

Surrender, yet prepare. Ask, yet expect.

I've done it. I've purchased both festival passes and registered for the race. This, more than a month before any of the events. It is a bit scary for me. A month is a long time. What if something better comes along? What if I change my mind? What if? What if? What if.....? In a universe of uncertainty how does one commit to non-refundable tickets this far in advance. Luckily, I've already got a grasp on uncertainty. Uncertainty is certain. Easy enough. Now, I am pondering planning ahead. While it first seemed that this is opposite of "going with the flow", upon further consideration, I have concluded these seemingly opposites are not mutually exclusive and a healthy balance would be the most advantageous route.

Planning ahead requires intention, choosing and commitment. Inherently, a certain outcome is desired. Desire lends itself to attachment or expectation. Lots of horrifying words to me.

Going with the flow, on the other hand, involves lack of expectation and non-attachment to outcome. The expression implies passivity, maybe even waiting or reacting.

Practicing an active form of non-attachment would be ideal. The idea is to direct the flow, but not impede, pollute, or get washed away in it. And most definitely not to argue it. Planning is necessary to get anything accomplished or desire met (preparing or asking). But the trick is to execute the plan without any attachment to the outcome (surrender). If the plan does not work out, then it is certain that the wrong choice was made in the first place. If it works out, then its reaffirmed. It is hardly decisive. The commitment is only to the actions of initiation and planning. "Putting it out there". That's all.

Expecting is a the tricky and awesome part. This is where the attracting or manifesting, if you will, comes into play. But, it is still coupled with surrender and non-attachement to outcome. Expecting can direct the flow, but surrendering acknoweledges that the current of the universe will act in your best interest and push you along if you are blinded by the muck of attachment and desire.

While I've traditionally been a card-carrinying member of the "go with the flow" club, recently this planning ahead-business is creeping on me. I guess, it is because I am developing ideas of things I think I may want to experience or accomplish. Things that involve more foresight and planning than just having the intention in my head. But same rules still apply. Be conscious, honest, and accepting, Plan to go with the flow. The seemingly opposites are only seemingly so.