66. If you don't choose your path, life will.

As we journey through life, we can either plan our own route to our final destination or life will intervene and plan it for you. In high school, I had a friend, Roger, who wanted to become a lawyer just as his grandfather had been. This life goal provided Roger with all of the guidance he needed to make decisions along the way. He earned his degree and practised law all of his life, just as he had dreamed. Most of us did not possess that definite a life goal.

Much of my life consisted of taking the next step without an overall plan or fixed direction. When I was in my final year of high school I had an unofficial mentor-teacher who gently coaxed me to consider going to university. She helped me apply, select a program and encouraged me along the way. I always maintained without her counsel and care, I don't know where I would have ended up. 

After earning my chemistry degree, I still had no specific career goals. I knew scientific research wasn't my life's dream and chose instead to try education. I felt that I would "try" teaching and if I didn't like it I would continue my search. As it turned out I loved teaching and made it my life's career. Within my career, I progressed (?) from teacher to vice-principal, to principal, to a program superintendent. I admit that my career life was not planned by myself but rather other factors developed the route. 

I often wonder what path I would have taken if I had been as goal-oriented as my friend Roger. I will never know. Although much of our life's journey is unplanned, there is still a lot of opportunities to make smaller plans that can make life enjoyable. I know that I have always loved to travel and over the years have planned trips all over the world. These travel goals have provided me dozens of enjoyable experiences that I would have never encountered if I had not set them as goals. 

While goal setting is not essential, it can provide you with many wonderful experiences that would not have happened just by chance. If you don't make your own plans, unseen life forces will!