Saturday 12 October 2019

What will you say when you're seventy?

When I was younger I quite frequently imagined myself as a seventy year-old man sitting in a rocking chair. As I rocked back and forth I pondered my accomplishments; wondering if I worked hard enough at achieving an optimal lifestyle, and questioning if I took advantage of living. I'm not sure if these thoughts made me work harder at achieving everything on my bucket list, or if it inspired me to enjoy my life more. Either way, it made me contemplate what true happiness really was. It seemed like every two weeks I was changing my mind; fulfilling whatever my mind told me to work on. I was frustrated because I couldn't make up my mind. Happiness seemed so difficulty to accomplish.

Now, as a thirty-five year old man I ponder the same questions. But, this time I feel less frustrated because I've already accomplished a better life than I once imagined. Although I once thought an ideal lifestyle once consisted of money, fame and materialistic things my experiences have led me to understand that the true meaning of happiness doesn't include any of this.

I'm truly content with my life today because I chose to fulfill my passions early in life. I didn't procrastinate regardless of the obstacles that stood in my way, and I didn't allow fear to run my decisions, I just went for it. In fact, I was always working on some type of project I was passionate to work on. Doing this has allowed me to appreciate all the other opportunities in my life outside of work/passion life. And now, as a father of two wonderful children I've enlisted my focus on being the best possible parent I can be, with less focus on work, and without the strain of a less accomplished life.

My life has been filled with all different kinds of achievements over the years. But, as I look back I realize these aren't important to anybody else but myself. This fact let me to believe that the type of happiness we all long for only exists within our relationships with other people, including our friends, family and those we choose to spend our days with. Definitely not something you can buy in a store.

I'm blessed to experience life through my own eyes. I am more happy today than ever before. I have better friends, a refreshed perspective of reality and my days are spent with great people. And, although I'm only half the age of 70, I am blessed to be able to say that I'm content with the life that was served to me, and I will continue to see the positive in my experiences as I move forward. Life is a beautiful thing.

Moral of the story: Don't wait too long to for fill your passions. Take the opportunity right now to complete the tasks you've been meaning to get at for years. Kickstart your imagination. When you are sitting in your rocking chair at 70 you're going to be asking yourself these exact same questions. What will your answers be?

8 comments:

  1. Whoa... talk about powerful. This motivated me like crazy. Thanks for this!

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  2. When you put it that way, I wanna just quit my job, travel and just enjoy all life has to offer :) One step at a time, right?

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  3. I definitely agree! I don't wanna be too old and learn I have nothing to say about it. I wanna live and enjoy life!

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  4. It's never too early to live by your own rules. Make your own goals and work hard towards them. That's my motto.

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  5. you're definitely an inspiration!

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  6. I really liked it. I will be helping people, doing donations and much more social stuff when I turn 70!

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  7. Your posts are inspiring. I haven't thought about advancing to 70 years. But it will be a year to be grateful for life and everything I have. I'm too focused to think about that right now

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  8. Yeah! I totally agree. No procrastination! We need to set out to do what we want to do at an early age. I don't get why people put off things for later when they can do it now with ease! The worst thing is most times they don't succeed in doing that at the time they estimated it would get done! So why procrastinate? Get working people!

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