I thought life was supposed to be linear. You go from point A to point B to C to D. High school, college, marriage, children. Perhaps that’s a function of my generation. Perhaps it’s a function of the TV shows I watched.
I also thought I had to get things right the first time. That there was indeed a “right” way to do most things, that I should know what it was and I should strive to achieve it.
What I have found instead is that life is more like a series of lily pads – you hop from one to another, in no particular order except for the one that is in front of you at the time.
I also learned that failure is not always a catastrophe. It is not a rating on your self-worth. Experimenting has value, even if your leap to the next lily pad lands you in the pond. Exploring and learning make life interesting and increase what you know and have to offer.
I think now that life is more like a fascinating network of hyperlinks. Some of them go to rabbit holes you should probably avoid. Some are boring. But many open the way to new vistas, new learnings, and new opportunities.
Photo by Lori McKinney – Denver Botanic Gardens
Puzzle Pieces Coaching 