I've written several times about how much I enjoy watching my characters grow in ways that I don't anticipate.  As I've said before, for better or for worse, I don't outline my entire novel before I get started.  Sure, I know where it starts and where it ends, and I generally have some idea what's going to happen in the middle in an effort to achieve a good arc for my story.  But what the characters themselves will actually do along the way.. the different directions in which they'll grow.. well, to be honest, sometimes I'm just as surprised as anyone by what might happen.  And frankly, I like it that way.  Having not had any children, it's just about the closest thing I can imagine to raising one.. other than maybe teaching my dog how to talk..  But I digress...

Truly, watching my characters on their journey of discovery is amazing.  Why, then, do I find myself often so resistent to just going with the flow?  Why do I persist down a certain life course when I'm not happy.. despite anything anyone might tell me?

So while I might encourage my characters to go with the flow.. I don't unless I'm forced to.. and then, to my surprise, I find myself in a better place than I was before.

By my own admittance, I got married way too quickly after college and found myself in a situation that felt out of control.  Again, I only blame myself for letting it get that way, locked into a life course I really didn't want.  And when it ended, I was lost... but on the flip side, after slogging through the mire, I found myself in a much better place.. emotionally and spiritually.. than I'd ever been.  Why didn't I take charge of that a long time ago?

When i got laid off from my job in Seattle, a certain junebug encouraged me to step back and appreciate what I had.. my boat.. my life.. my contact with nature.  But I let my move to California distract me and I ignored much of that advice.  And things in California have not been as smooth as I would have liked.. I've struggled a lot.  To the point that I found myself getting caught up.. no, rather distracted by.. a lifestyle that really wasn't mine.  And, again, despite the advice of dear friends, I pursued career goals to match that style rather than my life.

So when things turned upside down recently.. I was once again lost.  But, as with all the other downturns in my life... despite the fact that it sucks pretty bad when you're wallowing in the pit of moral and emotional goo.. I find myself in a better place on the other side.  A step back is a good place from which to review your life.. and I find myself refocused on some of the things I should have two years ago... my boat.. my life.. my contact with nature..  so thanks, junebug.

I'm fortunate.. and quite happy.. to say that each time I've been kicked in the ass.. something better was always waiting on the other side.  I hope it always stays that way.. 

So next time life points you in a new direction... maybe you should let it.  You never know where your characters might lead you....