what's next?

There is so much anticipation in the air. We’re heading to NYC tomorrow- driving the bus the whole way in a day. I’m actually looking forward to it, though every seat will be taken. I’ll be helping some kids with English but also writing, reading and thinking.

And then I can’t wait to see my friend Jessica who is the associate sound designer for the new Off-Broadway show Fela! It’s been quite the process, and I was lucky enough to hear all about it as the rehearsals took shape. Not only do I get to see Jess, but I get to see the show which has some incredible dancing and Afrobeat music. So tight.
While I’m in the city I’ll also try to stop at the Bald Man’s for some chocolate.This place is now a small addiction I have. Fortunately enough I visit NYC once a year and not more frequently. Otherwise, I would be a spokesperson for the restaurant and get stock options just to have an excuse to pop in the store every week.

The city brings about a certain thrill which will be fun to have coursing through my veins. Of course, several things bring that on these days like the Olympics, the tasty dinners and new recipes we’ve tried this week and upcoming projects with the choir. Plus, the forthcoming theatre tour just gets me juiced up every time I think about the costumes, puppets, travel, post-show-ice-cream-debriefing, and the overall production. I can’t wait to see the kids at their prime in this show.

We often go through life thinking about what’s to come. That’s definitely a cultural thing as we live in a society that is pretty certain that not only will tomorrow come but a 10-year plan is necessary to properly live today for the future. One thing that brings me back from my daydreams are prayers from the kids thanking God for keeping them alive yet one more day.
It is good to have plans. God does and even tells us they are to prosper us. It's great to have anticipation for what’s ahead.
All of these are best used when we think about how we can use that energy for today. I have been pondering my current position and place quite a bit, not out of distaste but out of a desire to make the most of it. How can I be present in the present and capture all the lessons and experience for future endeavors? How can the investments I make in the children, the team, the organization bear fruit in the immediate or even distant future? These questions add as much value to my future plans as the question: What is next on the agenda?