JANUARY 8, 2021
As I navigate the fourth quarter of life, I have been given the opportunity to “Look Back,” with my context strength, to help me with the following; seeing where I have been in evaluating and auditing the wisdom I have gained and choices I have made (or not) in; taming my own EGO (or not), learning courage, (or not) and accepting the love I have given or received. (or not)
To me, life has always been and is still about the many great and rewarding relationships I have made over my lifetime while understanding my purpose and knowing who I am becoming. This is personal for all of us. I am still learning WHO I am and using those God given strengths (Which we all have to some degree) to truly LIVE a prosperous, grateful, and joyful life. After many trials and errors, I have come to appreciate those peak experiences that have allowed me to define for myself and not by others, my own definition of success. For me they include; my strong BELIEF in God, my family, in myself and in other people; my positivity and attitude; my strong convictions of what is right and wrong; my approach to life; a strong HOPE; and finally, being intentional with my vision and goals by taking ACTION. Something I have been blessed to be able to do my entire life through a great family and many friends.
Yes, I am an empath and an extrovert. So taking action with other people has allowed me a choice of serving them profoundly. I have learned to become wealthy in having enough resources and gaining a rich spirit by my service to others. I have learned that life is NOT all about me. It is ALWAYS about others. That meant I had to “Suit Up Every Day” and “Be Prepared.” To all of us, that means we need a strong vision for our lives. What is it that you want to accomplish? (Write it down) Who do you love and who do you want to spend the rest of your life with? (Write it down) What is your ultimate goal in life? (Write it down) All of these things are SO important in living a life of “doing” what we were created to do. Once I accomplished my career goals and now that I am retired, “what is next for me?” Again, this is NOT about me, but is something many retirees ask of themselves. The answers are always interesting to me because, if we spend our entire lives just trying to survive, then we really may never have found out WHO we were and what we were capable of. (Check out Maslow to see where you stand on his pyramid.) Are you just trying to survive or get along with life? Are you just trying to enjoy the fruits of your labors? OR Are you looking for deeper relationships? I hope you choose the latter because YOU were made for more.
Many of us, based on the season of our life, stop searching for meaning and give up by being comfortable. Being comfortable for a while can be stress relieving and comforting. But don’t get used to it. Life has more to offer than just surviving; and people WANT and NEED you to share your experiences in growing and improving. Many of us love watching our kids and grandkids succeed. None of us want to see them suffer. But our job is to model and encourage them to be all that they are capable of being. Please remember, they may be your kids but hopefully they can develop an independent will for GOOD and not just trying to keep up with and compare themselves; to Mom or Dad; or Grandma or Grandpa; or the Jones’s. The Jones’s will always have more things than you and more than likely MORE problems. Try to be comfortable with yourself and work on your own soul. It just may be the best decision you have ever made in your life.
“Suit up Every Day” Life may be a challenge. But life is still good.
Elevator Guy