Everyone loves Raymond!
When you google “Raymond, Colorado” you don’t really get much. Besides the Raymond Store and Cabins, you don’t come up with anything at all. Nestled between Lyons and Allenspark, Raymond lies is in a canyon next to a small river. It has a population of 60. When my husband, Chris, and I arrived on a sunny afternoon in late October, the Raymond Store was closed and we had forgotten to pick up a microbrew en route. The property manager suggested we go (back) to Lyons or keep driving to Allenspark or even Estes Park, as the closest store was 30 miles away. This was a terrible place to grab anything you may have forgotten, but an amazing one to have a self sanctioned retreat. And so it began – without any local brew – or much else — for miles.
Welcome to game night!
Chris and I weren’t there to get spa treatments or to meditate. Instead we were there to talk. This sounds odd as we do this normally over dinner. But, it wasn’t a “normal” conversation we were seeking. Instead, we planned to discuss the life pie chart and how we wanted various pieces of the pie to look in 2015. No small conversation. So, instead of diving right in, we opted to play first. In doing so, we were able to let go of the demands of life in Denver and practice being in the moment in a low stakes environment. (Granted I did win at Scrabble by a landslide!)
The next day, because we had created the proper place and space, and we had prepared an outline as well as a timeline, we were ready for the deep dive. Our life pie chart included the following topics:
Keith the Dog checks out his weekend digs in Raymond.
* (Our) Relationship
* Health
* Money
* Environment
* Career
* Family & Friends
* Fun & Recreation
Sometimes life feels like this ride.
On a scale of one to ten, we individually rated our satisfaction levels with each of the topics. Then we outlined why we rated each as we did. Finally, we discussed ways we might work together – or support each other – to raise the satisfaction level of those areas that needed it while creating a joint vision for each.
While I would love to be able to report that we have a clear action plan moving into 2015, that is a bit unrealistic for us given the various forks in the road of life that came up during the discussions. What we do have is a document summarizing the discussions with several action steps attached. We’ll need a follow-up discussion … or two … or three … to really dig deep into those “forks” where we’re currently parked. And perhaps this is where the real work begins.
So how might it move forward?
Perhaps this is where play might, once again, serve as an important tool. For example, the improvisational game “What happens next?” (No explanation required!) may be just the thing to jump start the “parking lot” discussions. Whatever the case, there’s a good chance 2015 won’t be wrapped up in a bow ready for delivery on New Year’s Eve. Chris has to be O.K. with this. I have to be O.K. with this. And we both have to be O.K. with this together. Embracing uncertainty may in fact be the most difficult part of planning for the future.
So how can we prepare while also be open to what adventures may unfold?
Where in the world will 2015 adventures unfold?
A little bit of play and a little bit of planning and a whole lot of practicing letting go (something I struggle with despite my improvisational theater training) might be just the answer. Life is messy – how we respond to it makes it either messier, or, an adventure. I root for adventure in 2015, and, I know I’ll probably get messes along the way, too. However it unfolds, I’ll continue playing, planning and practicing letting go knowing that, in this case, practice won’t ever make perfect.
P.S. One adventure that is solid for 2015 is the We Move Forward Women’s Conference, Retreat and Celebration on Isla Mujeres on International Women’s Day. Join me and lots of other fabulous women as we play, share, eat, drink and enjoy a magical little island only a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun!
