By Michael Watt
Years ago the singer Joe Jackson had a minor hit with the song “You Can’t Get What You Want (Until You Know What You Want).” I am reminded of this because it has been in my head for the last 36 hours and for good reason: I am still trying to figure out what I want.
Check that. I know what I want. I am trying to figure out how to get what I want. I am also trying to be sure that what I want warrants my wanting it. In other words, what happens if what I want isn’t what I think it is going to be? Does Joe Jackson have a catchy song in his repertoire called “Be Careful What You Pray For (‘Cause You Might Get It).”
There really is no easy way around it, to borrow a phrase from another song that was a minor hit. Sometimes you just have to dive right now, unafraid of the consequences and trust that God will take care of you. Diving in with reckless abandon was fun in my 20s, exhilarating in my 30s and an adventure in my 40s. I am in my (early) 50s now, however. The Next Big Adventure will most likely serve as the lead paragraph of my obituary.
Whatever. It’s time to push all the chips to the center of the table and get on with my life. Get what I want. It’s out there.
Joe Jackson\’s \”You Can\’t Get What You Want (Until You Know What You Want)\”
