I've noticed that a lot of people in my age group (the folk that have to check the 35-45 box on the surveys), experience angst related to the notion that by this age they should have everything-- or, at least more-- figured out. I have a better plan. It's all about making it up as you go along and cherishing the creativity in that.
My theory is that when you're a child, your need to feel safe/protected requires a belief that the adults in your world are capable people with all the answers. Adults are wont to disabuse children of this notion, never mind that they're not really feeling capable and full of answers themselves. They're willing to fake it-- because they grew up with the same notion, because they don't want to let down the kids, and sometimes because they like the power involved. So, we grow up with this seriously flawed expectation that adults know what they're doing-- a useful ruse, but highly inaccurate, and really unhelpful when you hit the age that you think is undeniably Adult. Better to let go of that, embrace the fact that life is about making educated guesses with authenticity and integrity and with a great deal of hope that it's all going to work out well, and believe that if you make mistakes and take wrong turns, God can work with it anyway.
It's about putting one foot in front of the other, taking risks, accepting failures, and remembering at all times that even if you screw up, God can make good use of any situation. Walking in the liberty of that is preferable by far to walking under the weight of Expectation.
Liberty. Creativity. Why choose angst with regard to unmet expectations over these lofty and beautiful notions?
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