The best laid plans.
When I think of the phrase, “The best laid plans of mice and men” I think of Grandma Fannie. The phase “The Best Laid Plans” is the title of a novel by Sidney Sheldon. Some have suggested that the inspiration for the title may be a poem by Robert Burns “Tas a Mouse” which is about the nest of a mouse which he inadvertently destroyed when ploughing a field.
Grandma Fannie was a scholar – always reading and learning – but was also a very hard working practical woman. She, often wove spiritual reminders into the tapestry of the day whether that involved weeding the garden, gathering eggs, tending to flowers or feeding the farm animals.
“The best laid plans of mice and men” was her way of reminding her grandchildren and others that while it was important to have a clear, prioritized list of tasks which needed accomplished, it was equally important to stay open to changing those plans. She was not referring to changing plans so that one could play or go take a nap. She reminded us that one needed to be able to change one’s agenda when a need arrived which was higher on the list of core values. Being a responsible person in terms of farm chores was important but if a person needed a listening and empathic ear, that took precedence. Of course, sometime one could do a farm chore and also listen attentively to another person.
Juist this morning I was reminded of Grandmas Fannie when I was about to cross some items off the list of tasks and a person called and needed to talk.
Sometimes the interruption is not by a person but the power goes off, the car will not start, the car has a flat tire, or something else happens which makes it impossible to continue one’s compulsive need to complete certain tasks. When I was young and had less grasp of the importance of what Grandma Fannie was saying, I would become very upset and sometimes even angry when something or someone interrupted my very important schedule. When we are young we often feel as if we are or should be the center of the universe. Our self-esteem might be fragile and we are prone to take even acts of nature personally. As we age, if lucky, we know that life shows up regardless of who we are; that we are not in charge and while it is important to make plans we must also remain flexible.
Grandma Fannie also often reminded us children, “When one door closes another opens.” I would be well into my adult years before I trusted I will always get what I need to grow spiritually. That is not to suggest that the God of one’s understanding directs very aspect of life, but it does suggest that one can always use what life presents as an opportunity to grow spiritually; an opportunity to practice the prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” (short version)
Written March 11, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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