I have always been one to make lists.  I love making lists.  It gives me a sense of control over what I am doing, whether it's making a shopping list, a "to do" list, or a pro/con list.  I get satisfaction knowing what I have to do is  written right down in front of me.  I thrive off of knowing what lies ahead and what has already been accomplished.  I feel as though my life is "planned" out already.  I am comfortable knowing that I know what I need to get done that day, week, month, etc.  And who doesn't enjoy the feeling of crossing off something once it has been completed?

 But what I have started to realize this past year is I can't plan my life out.  I do not know what lies ahead.  I can have goals, and dreams, and lists, and most of the time those are wonderful things.  However, they make it hard to be spontaneous.  They make it difficult to see the opportunities that are out there waiting for you, if those opportunities are not on your mapped out life.    They make it hard to move on if there is a hiccup in your plan.  You have your mind set in one direction and when that ends up not going the way you had planned, you are lost.  You have been so determined to complete your goal, to finish your list that you can't seem to see any other way.  You have blinders on that don't allow you to see the other "plans" that are out there for you.

 List making, goal setting, and planning ahead are all fantastic things!  I love them and would have a hard time knowing what I have to do tomorrow without them.   Yet, they make it hard to grow, they make it hard to let go.  So keep making those lists, setting goals, getting your life organized, but don't rely on them.  Make sure that you make those lists with your blinders off.