Un-according to plan.

This weekend, Jack and about 30 of his elementary school peers performed in Alice in Wonderland Jr. As with any performance, especially one with elementary schoolers, things went delightfully un-according to plan. Like when my friend’s daughter Lily waved with a boastful “Hi Mom!” across the theatre mid-play. Her mom beamed next to me (and the audience collectively melted). Or the little the moment Jack locked eyes with me in the audience and gave a little smile and bashful hand wave from the stage. So many warm-and-fuzzies, and lots of laughter.

I couldn’t help but admire the play directors who moved the play along with gentle redirections and in-the-moment pivots. Despite several flubs, missed lines, and missteps, the cast created something more authentic than any polished Broadway show could offer: they created true joy. This was something that could never be created in perfect execution. It came from all those little unscripted moments of pure kiddo heart. 

It got me thinking maybe these little actors have something to teach us. That when it comes to our own life story, the key isn't to even try to do everything perfectly either. Even when we forget who we are or where we should go, we can and should lean on our friends, family, and those who are part of our own story. It's ok to "break character" and express yourself vulnerably or with heart. Moving forward is about how well we can embrace the chaos and just keep the show going. If we're lucky, we'll have a few close "cast mates" to nudge us back or remind us where to go when we've forgotten our way.

So remember: the best moments aren't the flawless ones. It's in those completely un-according to plan moments where we go off-script, and surrounded by our own cast of supporters, we might just create something unforgettable.