Flying by the seat of my pants

I have a friend who literally takes life as it is delivered to her. She is the ultimate in Gypsy lifestyle and flying by the seat of her pants. Friends come and go. Places to stay for the night come and go. 

I can't seem to wrap my head around if I like that lifestyle or not. I both envy and abhor the idea of letting life hit you full force. 

There are several things that I have been able to do just because the timing was right or it sounded like fun for the moment. I never veered very far from the "norm" for me. I never did anything that was on the edge of being unlawful or anything like that - just deciding to go to a party with someone I didn't know or going to an event...Some of which would be an absolute no-no to my "perfect" sister. Who married, had 2.5 kids, dog and virtually a white-picket fence life. 

But this morning, while I was in the shower (I do my best thinking/meditating in the shower). I was struck by the idea that my mom always worried about the peer groups my sister and I aligned ourselves with - to make sure they were good and "going somewhere in their lives." I recall the motto of the boyscouts (although not being a boy - I was never in. Nor was a good girlscout for the whole 2 months I was in that), "Be Prepared." 

Which led me (in thought) to my friend. What I think exhilarates me about her life is that she does not let an opportunity pass. She is willing to take crazy risks. But she is no more in a spot of happiness than she was 5 minutes ago. Nor does she have a plan of any sort. She has been unemployed for a very long time and really exhibits no desire to actually get and/or keep a job - thinking that she has been doing fine scraping by as she has been for over a year now.

I realized that the real me is one closer to the boy scouts, to my mom's need to align myself with people who have a plan and a goal (although not so completely that I'm boxed in like my sister). So with that being said, I am making a goal for myself and putting the blinders on and the work in. I will find a great mentor who has made it in the company I am working for (it is 100% commission) I will pick his/her brain. I will find other great business mentors who have made a success of themselves. 

I will drop those friends/people who do not lead to me being a better or happier person. If they aggravate me - there is reason for them NOT to be in my life and I need to cut them out. Done. If they desire to have the save drive and ambition. Come along for my ride. I have room in the car. 

I'm no longer flying by the seat of my pants. But with a path in front of me - I'll still be flying.