Plans

"Everyone has a plan until they've been hit." -Joe Louis, Boxer

At some point in every person's life, plans are made. They could be short-term, long-term, temporary, daily, yearly...you get where I'm going. Plans come in all manner of arrangement. But, there is one thing that I've found certain in this life in regard to plans - life rarely allows plans to carry out as originally devised. 

Most times when life takes an unexpected turn or our plans are outright thwarted, we may not take notice. Or, if we do, that which has foiled our endeavors is not so much that we can't simply enough make a minor adjustment or two to 'the plan,' sometimes without much additional thought, then, continue on the same projected or mostly similar path. But, sometimes, just some times, there are instances in our lives where the universe seems to entirely plot and scheme against us. Here we are, just going about our days, carefully formulating, or casually contemplating, our next step, or steps, stages, phases of our life, then, in steps the universe, in whatever form it may be taking at the time - a misplaced set of keys, a fender-bender on the way to our destination, an untimely death in the family, or...the love of your life, and, BAM!...life is never the same.

Unfortunately, these unexpected changes are not always positive. However, we must always consider that a temporary negative setback can, at times, possibly be the diminuendo preceding the glorious crescendo, a segue into the next resplendent movement. Life suddenly transforms from average, forgettable B-side track to august symphony. Your every step is accompanied by a personalized soundtrack. And, tomorrow, it suddenly has reason. But, in the case of the other 'at times,' life may just continue to be and/or go to shit. And, so is life.

Fortunately, for me, I was one of the lucky ones. Here is my story...

Almost six years ago, I made a decision to join the Navy. Just one day, bored with life, out of the blue, I thought, "how can I do something more meaningful and exciting with my life?". So, I preceded to scour the web for ideas. "What are some things I WANT out of life?". Something new, of course. Meet some new people. Continue my education. Always wanted to learn another language. See the world - Travel. TRAVEL. TRAAAAAAVEL! As "fate" would have it, I stumbled upon the Navy website. And, the Navy offered me ALL of this. They even had a program where my job would be to learn another language! Amazing! I was pretty much sold from that moment. But, I did something that I wasn't known well for doing at that phase in my life - I thought about it...for like a month. I talked to the recruiter a couple times (luckily I got a pretty standup guy that didn't lie to me). I emailed my uncle [recently retired Commander of 22 years] several times over the course of that month. All in all, it seemed to be a good choice. So, I signed up.

Plans. My "plan" was get the most out of my required six years - learn my language, get the Navy to pay for my education, get out of debt, save all the money I possibly could in that six years, and let the Navy send me to the ends of the Earth and back on their dime. I should also add that upon exiting the one term I planned on spending with the Navy, I wanted to continue traveling. Maybe live abroad for a short period of time...or indefinitely. This would mean not getting tied down. I wasn't against the idea of dating and having some fun. But, committing myself to one person, thing, idea, was NOT part of "the plan." 

Well, let me just say up front, I did get myself out of approximately $15K of cumulative debt, entirely, by the time I got out of language school, of which I am very proud of myself. And, I still managed to enjoy my time thoroughly. Also, I did learn my language, and I learned it well.

Things I did not accomplish: 

-Continue my education. I did have a little bit of college under my belt upon joining. This, combined with credit for language training, I did get an AA for my language. But, still haven't let the Navy pay toward my BA/BS...

-Travel. Probably my number one reason for joining the Navy. I lived in Maryland before I joined the Navy. From there, I went to bootcamp...in Illinois...where I grew up. Strike one. I was fortunate enough to go to Monterey, CA for a year an a half. Not complaining. Then, three years in Augusta, GA. Eh. And, now, where do I end up? Wait for it...........Maryland. The same area of Maryland in which I lived prior to the Navy. All the promises of seeing the world, or at least some far-off region of the world I had yet to set foot, have yet to be fulfilled. FAIL.

-Staying Single. If my grand plan was to come to fruition, I would need to maintain a "single" status throughout my stay with the Navy. My only commitment - commit to the plan. Save money, exit Navy, see world. Plain and simple. And, fortunately, I couldn't even get that right.

You see, somewhere along the way, a certain wily minx, whom I DID NOT like upon first meeting (more on that later...), managed to craftily wear down my defenses, penetrate the fortified walls that contained my very soul, and...ruin everything! This young lady, she entered my life in the most unexpected of ways. And, though, I tried my best to fight it, to listen to my logic, my flawless reason, and ignore only that which my pants....Uh, I mean, my 'heart' [...or underlying good sense] could recognize, my best efforts were rendered futile.

She has since given me a new perspective on life. She has afforded my life new meaning. She has, simply, changed my life. She is my life. And, most recently, we have together made a new life. And, it is beautiful.

Sometimes I think about my life and what it would be like if I hadn't have let this person into my life, if I hadn't diverted from "the plan." In a few months, I would be leaving the Navy to begin a new adventure; where would I be? Who would I have met? To which lands would I have travelled? This used to be my heart's desire. To see the world was the inspiration which drove me to move on with and change my life. And, it has since been replaced by something much greater. Something so much more magnificent and satisfying that I would have to write many more pages to express in words. And, though, in my most basic human nature, I think about "what might have been...", I never think, "I wish I could go back and......"

So, whereas I totally support making 'plans', especially those that will help secure a better future for one's self and/or family, or those that may take you to the ends of the world, or better, the universe, still, I encourage, I urge...I advise - diverge. Take a break every now and then. Go left instead of right. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take the occasional side road instead of the highway just because it's the fastest way there. Stop and talk to a stranger or an estranged friend or relative. Wake up, stick 'the plan' in a drawer, and say, 'I plan to do something different today.' Essentially, look to the future, but stay open. Sometimes life calls for a free-spirited, extemporaneous captain. So, hold loose the reigns. Don't wear blinders. Use your roadmap simply as a guide and not life-defining scripture. Don't miss opportunity for the sake of suitability. You may miss out on the time of your life. Or, in my case, miss out on a wonderful life and the new life it has given.