When I was talking with my last therapist about parenting, she shared a line that she often used with her children: “Okay, so: this is the plan, until it isn’t.”

The only constant is change, we hold on loosely… We’ve got lots of ways of capturing this idea. Her reminder to her young charges also holds the two confounding pieces together.

1. Sure, here’s what’s going on. We’ll plan to leave at this time, do this thing, at this place. That’s the deal.
2. And, oh, also—make room for life to get lifey. Curveballs, storms, snotty noses, a change of plans. Don’t get too attached to that “plan” thing I just mentioned.

Writing Prompt

Set a timer for five minutes. Write about a time that things did not go according to plan.

What blew up? Did you see it coming? What are some of the other ways things might have gone down? Was it anyone’s “fault”? Does it matter whether there was “fault” involved? What’s happened since then? Is there a pattern or a gift anywhere in there?