A few days ago, as I briskly walked the Vancouver Seawall, a young couple ran passed me with the elegance and confidence of two gazelles. A few steps behind me, a young mother held the hand of a toddler learning to walk alongside her. That’s when I thought, I am living the Riddle of the Sphinx. You know how it goes…
Month: October 2012
“In the kind of world we have today, transformation of humanity might well be our only real hope for survival.”
Stanislav Grof
Thirty years ago, when my parents entered their 50’s, they were asked to participant in a university study on aging. They were interviewed separately in cubicle offices by young 20 something year-old students. The questions were basic, covering a broad range of subjects that were easily answered, until the last one. “Looking back over all of your life experiences, what advice would you give to a young person starting out.” In separate offices, without any discussion, and without hesitation, they answered, as if in unison: Remember that time is finite. Do what you must do. Choose your friends wisely for they will influence the quality of your life.
Over this past month, I have been honoured to receive several celebrated blogging awards. As I write this post, I am reminded yet again, that with every post and every comment, we create a dynamic and diverse community brought together by technology, which allows us to correspond in different languages across, what I call, “blogger” miles. We are continuing a tradition shared by previous generations who used papyrus, parchment, inkwell and chisels: the exchange of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. When we contribute, we light a pathway for those generations yet to come.
Blogger awards are about recognizing individuals who have inspired our journey. We have a common goal to make a difference in the lives of our families, friends and extended community, local and global. Many years ago, William Arthur Ward gave us this insight:
“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.”
“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Work! We need to work. We define our lives by what we do, how we participate and by our lasting contribution to our families, communities and even future generations. Notwithstanding those moments when we would love to exchange the “rat-race” for an extended exotic holiday, we want to be employed in something meaningful. Whether we call it a career, labour, grindstone, we are at a loss once we no longer have that option. Work allows us to make a living, purchase a decent life that bestows stability, shelter and a place to fulfill our individual potential.
