Life on Cruise Control

"I'm almost in my mid-twenties," I gasped to myself this morning. While I know that my grandmother would laugh at me for that statement, it seems a little daunting.

So far I have learned that your twenties are a weird time in your life. In your early twenties, your parents would be your first phone call to bail you out from jail. In your mid-twenties, you're in the weird phase where you're not really an adult, but it can also be frowned upon if you stay out until 2:00AM every weekend. In your late twenties, if you don't have a wife and kids... well what are you doing?

Some of these stereotypes can be sitting in a lawn chair on your shoulders with pressure and expectation. It reminds me of a game we played as a kid called MASH. Depending on what number you picked, your fate of who you would marry, how many kids you would have, the type of house you'd own, and the age you'd receive it all would be determined. Easy, right?

Turns out, I don't live in a mansion with 18 kids with my 5th grade crush by 23 years old. Shoot.

The reality of this season in life is that my community is in all different places. Most of my friends are married, some are already divorced, and a few are still trying to figure out how to graduate college. I know where to get the perfect baby shower gift, but also know which friends to ask where I can buy the cheapest beer. A couple of my friends are working on building their homes, while a few have moved back in with their parents.

In my case, I know how to successfully plan for retirement but would be shy and uneasy if I got asked on a date. What a weird era.

Growing up, we were constantly focused on "what's next". After elementary comes junior high, then high school, then college, then a decent job, get married, have kids, retire, spoil grandkids and eventually plan your funeral. That's the plan... so find a great timeline and hit your average life expectancy!

Being an adult supposedly makes you smart. It has made me smart enough to know that expectations are not reality. If you asked me what's going on in my life right now, I'd say I'm just kind of set on cruise control. I'm not necessarily chasing the wind, but not necessarily stationary.

Sometimes being set on cruise control is exactly what you need. The reality of life is you should enjoy where you are right now. You don't have to have this big plan. You don't need to focus on what's next. You don't need to worry about how your grass looks compared to your neighbors. You don't have a running clock on your goals. You don't need to have your future planned out to have one.

Whether you're in your twenties or not, you should throw stereotypes out the window. Seasons of life come at different times for all of us. As cheesy as it sounds, age is only a number. I love hearing stories of people finishing college in their 80s or finding their husband when they're 14 or 60. Bob Goff is a New-York best selling author and on the honorary consul for Uganda, but practiced law for 25 years before chasing his true passions. Elton John is 72 and two young children who were born by a surrogate, but are the light in his world.

I'm not sure where I'll be in five years or ten. At this point, my taste in music still changes by the mood I'm in. I don't know where I'll be or what I'll be doing... but that's okay. It's okay for you too.

Set your life on cruise control. Don't you dare dwell on how fast you're going, who's in the lane next to you, or what kind of car you have. Don't feel the need to focus on a direction to travel in if you don't know. Don't worry about the people who pass you or who is pulled over.

Enjoy where you are right now, instead of focusing on where you aren't. No matter where you're going, everything will happen in it's own time.

Sit back, put your cruise control on, and enjoy the ride.