Plan of the Hour
If you fail to plan, do you plan to fail? Or maybe you should just chill out?
Dear Flexible Rexible,
I am a madwoman. Every holiday, every event, any situation! I have to have it planned to the second. Rigidly set on schedule.
Something always messes up the plan, always, at some point. I lose my freaking mind! There’s a cascade of misery for all.
My husband seems resigned to it. I’m at my breaking point. Organization and consensus, yes, but I take it to the Nth degree.
I can’t help it. I’m stuck in place.
Signed,
Feeling Really Edgy, Each Family Occasion Means Ruckus
Dear FREEFORM,
I bid you esteemed congratulations! You have identified and even accepted the problem. Those are not easy things to do.
I commend you for acknowledging your need for change.
Accepting that you’re not in complete control of everything is not easy.
No less an expert on the need for plans? The famous World War II general (and U.S president) Dwight D. Eisenhower. And yet later in life, he said this: “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.”
What did he mean by that? Plans are worthless?
I take it as a clever suggestion to consider, in some way, the unseen, unknowable variables. The possibilities that can’t be accounted for.
Trust me, it happens in live performance! Scenes don’t always go as planned. All we can do is be present, stay in the moment, and adapt with good humor.
Don’t let fear be the driver. Accept imperfections in others and yourself.
Surrender. To your own unique place within reality.
Don’t just take my word for it! Criminal mastermind Leonard Snart (aka “Captain Cold”) has strong thoughts on the subject, shared in a memorable episode of The Flash:
Counterpoint commentary by …
Marzonk! the Strong-Man
Marzonk! has detailed training plans all worked out for each day. His meals measured to the ounce!
Details are no joke to Marzonk!. We achieve best according to plan.
You are one who knows what I’m saying. You understand benefits of structure. Of strong preparation.
Same with Marzonk!. If not enough time in gym? If muscles not trained right?
Disaster!
Body is literally money-maker. Marzonk! never takes for granted.
Although there was time last year … one day when gym was closed.
Gym had gas leak!
Nothing to do with hours. Went to movies! Saw comedy, with funny lady named Melissa McCarthy. Marzonk! like her! Had such good time, bought ticket for another movie, Bond James Bond. Like that too. Ate bucket of buttered popcorn plus chocolate Sno-Caps.
A day without training, without rules, was pretty fun. Memorable for Marzonk!.
But now schedule calls. Back to bench press. Back to the next set.
Heavy plates in need lifting.
Marzonk! stick to plan. Stick to proven methods and times and regimen.
Except day when gas leak at gym lead to some movies and treats in the dark.
It seems, maybe, that could also be yes good thing too.
