Maybe Not Knowing What You Want Is A Good Thing
Christmas Morning…
I was 12 years old, Christmas was coming, it was the 70’s and I wanted a CB radio (remember “Convoy?”)
Ever the curmudgeon, my Dad said, “You’re NOT getting a CB because you’ll just sit around and talk, no good will come of it.”
So, I told him I really don’t know what I want, I guess I’ll just be surprised.
Do you know what you want?
I don’t mean for Christmas, I’m talking about from your life?
It turns out most people are not sure what they want in life.
Or they say very general things like, “I want to be happy.” (Which is not a good goal, as happiness is a choice and a byproduct).
If you don’t…?
First of all, don’t sweat it.
Most of our deadlines are self-imposed. Lighten up. Look at this as an opportunity to shape what’s next, or for God to use you.
Second, here are some questions to help you ponder the possibilities. Sit down with an hour and your favorite beverage and answer these on paper.
(Remember, everything is erasable… just write)
What do you love to do?
What are you good at?
What do others say you’re good at?
What do others find difficult that comes easily for you?
Who do you want to be?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
What was the first thing you ever wanted to be?
What do you feel is incomplete in your life?
What bothers you about the world?
What would you change if you could?
What is your life mission?
Finally, what stands out about your answers?
The great thing about not knowing what you want is – and I mean this spiritually, not religiously – it gives God a chance to step in.
Whenever Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer begins a new recording project regardless of his ideas, he says, “I always leave space for God to walk through the room.”
Undecided. Open space. Undefined. Lack of direction… These are all blank canvasses, just waiting for a new masterpiece.
What might you create?
That Christmas morning…
With no idea of what was next, I walked into our living room and there it was!
A Yamaha FG-160 acoustic guitar – a good guitar – was waiting there…
and with it a life and a career so awesome and joyful I literally cannot describe it.
My passion, direction and life’s work was made possible by… get this… NOT knowing what I wanted, allowing someone else to tap what I could not see in myself.
And jeez, if I’d gotten the CB radio instead? I don’t want to think about it.
So, if you don’t know what you want, keep an open mind, ask friends, pray, and work steadily on what you can… trust that the answer is coming.
Please share this with someone who needs to hear it.
Live Truly, Truly Live,
Mike
