As we approach the New Year, many people become reflective about their lives and their circumstances. The quote that Jack used recently in his blog – Jack’s Winning Words – deals with contemplating one such reflection.
“Remember when we were young and couldn’t wait to grow up and do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted? So, how’s that working out for you?” (Sent by Oaks)
The young tend to see only the things that they wish that they had the freedom to do and not any of the obligations that come along with that freedom. Finally getting to the age where makings one’s own decisions is possible usually also means doing what is necessary to support and maintain that independence. Many young adults return home after college or service in the military because they aren’t ready for the obligations that accompany that level of independence. That often leads to some level of conflict with parents who wish to maintain a level of control in exchange for the free ride.
Most people have some idea or dream about what they would like to be or do when they “grow up”. Many, however, just fall into a job or trade without much planning or any real passion for the work. Sometimes that works out and sometimes it just leaves the young person feeling trapped and despondent, because they see no way out of their circumstances. Like so many other of life’s problems, the first step is admitting that you can use help and then seeking that help. There are lots of programs that feature advice and training to help people find jobs and careers. If they are ex-military service members there are even more programs aimed at helping those who served transition into productive civilian lives.
In a prior post to Jack’s blog, Albert Schweitzer was quoted as saying – “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer
Some people either stumble into a career that they love or knowingly work towards that goal. For them success and happiness go hand-in-hand.
So, it’s really not just being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want; it’s loving what you are doing. That should be the goal that the young strive to achieve. Loving what you are doing for a living also helps to de-couple happiness from money. While one needs to make enough money to live, focusing upon doing something that makes you happy rather than how much money you can make, can lead to a more satisfying life. It also tends to make people and relationships more important than amassing possessions.
Which path have you been on? Are you still focused upon getting more – more power, more money, more possessions? How’s that working out for you? Always wanting more would seem to have no end point – no happy place. Doing something that you love seems to mean that you are always in your happy place.
You have grown up. You can choose what you want to do and when. What did you choose to do? How’s that working out for you?
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