Learning to Improv...

Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature's inexorable imperative.
H.G. Wells

Plan. Organize. Structure. Calculate. Routine. Strategy. Perfect. These are all words I thrive on.
Chaos. Improvise. Confusion. Disarray. Noise. Unknown. These are all words that frighten me.

I am a perfectionist. A planner. Ok, a control freak. I plan everything. Before I make a phone call, I rehearse everything I am going to say. (Yes, I am WEIRD.) But I'm learning. Some of the best times I've ever had in my life have been the times where I've relaxed, been unstructured and just lived. My rigidity is, over time, being worn away, probably by my being worn out by trying futilely to oversee and direct everything.

This was put to the test a week ago. A friend called me on a Friday night at 6:30 and asked me to do a mud run with her. Before I could help myself, I said yes. She hung up so quick, I couldn't say "but wait...." I had no time to do any of my pre-race rituals. I couldn't take back all the food I ate for dinner for a salad. I couldn't put in a couple extra miles!! I had no time to obsess!!! In less than 12 hours, I'd be at the race!!

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
Psalm 18:32

I did it. I tested myself! And I passed!!!!