Bliss is Being up to the Adventure

(Photo credit: irunandshoot)

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”  ~ Joseph Campbell.

 I think what Mr. Campbell said was exceedingly wise: get out of the way of your life and live it.

 Reminds me of the saying: “Man plans. God laughs.” My first interpretation of this is that we are silly to plan, that we cannot make things happen according to our Type A personalities, and that life is just too random to plan for.

 But I have read an interpretation of this same saying which proves that there are at least two sides to every story. I cannot remember who it was, but they made the point that God is not laughing at our plans ~ she is laughing with us and encouraging us.

I don’t think we are supposed to throw our hands up and let what happens, happen. God likes it when we use our resources to make things happen—but we have to remember that everything does not always go according to plan.

I have made and fulfilled plans. And been disappointed at the outcome. I have done things by the seat of my pants and been rewarded.  I am now taking Campbell’s words to heart and letting go of the life I planned (but not giving up on planning) and accepting the life I have been given.

Life is a mystery. We can plan for it—but we must also plan to be surprised. Campbell has a pithy observation about this too. He said:  “The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.”

Bliss is being up for the adventure—what do you think?