Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Life as Improvisation

We are making up life as we go.

Every decision we make is like an impromptu decision. Even when we think we have the plan all worked out. In place. Nice and tidy with no blemishes that WE can detect with our superficial inspection; life remains reflective of a split second decision; made-up on the whim. Fragile.

For those who do not believe this, I can guarantee that over the past 10-20 years you have asked yourself on several occasions in the privacy of your thoughts:

'What happen to my plan?'

And

You more than likely have concluded or began a moment of 'taking stock of my life' contemplation with the following:

'It was not supposed to be this way.'

Life is unpredictable. Uncontrolled. We need to stop trying to dominant and in many cases defeat it...and just live it. If we don't, we are nothing more than a slave to the conditional plans that may not become reality.

What's real is today.

Chose to live...not belabor.

Failure is an option when one knows what to do at the moment of the failure:

Laugh and Skip...I dare you!!!

Brian E. Payne

6 comments:

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Happy New Year from your fan club in Annapolis.

Have you read Forrest Church's book, Love and Death?
In it he spoke of a mantra he'd used for many years; namely,
"Want what you have, do what you can, and be who you are."
Those thoughts may dovetail with your reflections on 'Life as Improvisation' or they may not. Either way the most important message is from us:

We are blessed to have you. Thanks,Brian, for being such a strong,supportive presence in our lives for these many years.

-JCS

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata responds to JCS:

I have not read the book. I do identify with his message. The ending of his quote rings with me. People spend so much time searching for what and who they are without focusing on what is in front of them: THEMSELVES. We are who we are. Live with it!

I thank you and Jim for allowing me to be in your lives. I am part of who I am today because of your involvement in my development.

Praise God!

Happy Old Year!

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Thanks for this message. I have enjoyed your writings. I will say that you have pissed me off. This only means that you were successful at getting my attention.

-NJ

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata responds to NJ:

I take chance when I send out my commentaries. There is always that chance of pissing someone off. I do not try to irritate people. I am just writing what comes to my expanding mind.

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Loved your last piece on improv, and highlighted that we must pay attention to our playful side, as well as honor flexibility. One of my favorite lines in a song is "if you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans." Honestly, the last week has been a bit rough, and your emails have provided some much needed sunshine, and I'll admit I even tried that skipping bit... :)

-SN

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Loved this one!

-SR