Tammy Letherer 
First, let me thank you for taking a moment from your busy schedule to read today’s blog. You probably didn’t block this out in your daily planner.
I know all about planning. This time of year it takes the nimbleness and precision of a juggler to make sure graduation, summer camps, school parties and barbecues, vacation plans, etc. don’t fall from the calendar.
In the midst of all of this, I made time last weekend to attend a workshop by author Tama Kieves. Her latest book is called Thriving Through Uncertainty.
Thriving? Most of my life has been spent trying to avoid uncertainty. I took all the “right,” responsible steps that others were taking to have the typical home, marriage, and family. I got a respectable education and had an ordinary job—things I felt certain I wanted.
But life had other plans.
My life went off my carefully-laid tracks and I found that it’s possible for a drastic change in plans to lead to inspiration. The story of that time became the subject of my latest book, The Buddha at My Table.
That didn’t mean I liked it. And now along comes this new idea that navigating the unknown is not just something to endure, but that the certainty I crave could actually be shackling my soul.
Tama said it this way: “You can’t plan an inspired life.”
Those few words bring me so much peace. Not only does it makes sense; it’s obvious. So why did I never realize this before? I love to be inspired. I also like to plan. The inherent tension between the two never occurred to me. Maybe I’ve been like a mom driving around, annoyed, while the kids keep poking each other in the backseat, unable to get along. Maybe the ride would go more smoothly if I stop ignoring that and move one of them to the front seat.
You can’t plan an inspired life.
My heart knows this is the absolute truth. But where do I place my thoughts? What assignment can I give my Type A personality to make it feel productive and efficient?
Like the classic Paul Simon song says, I have to make a new plan, Stan.
The only thing I can plan is to make space. Doing that does require discipline. It requires committing to things that expand me and ruthlessly cutting out things that don’t. So I plan time for creativity and for writing. I schedule meditation time, make room for being in nature, and synchronize calendars with friends who uplift me.
And, for today at least, I make a plan to sit outside and read a book. Maybe I’ve inspired you to do the same.
