Wisdom at 65

In this episode - Wisdom at 65 . . .

 

As a wise man once said, "There ain't no free lunch.”

Yes, I realize the grammar is completely wrong. However, this statement reveals a lot when you take its meaning to heart. It's about work.

At 65, I'm still wondering why more folks don't attempt to learn new skills? Challenge yourself, go beyond what you've comfortably achieved in the past. It's exciting, a little unsettling at times, but that's what motivates me every day.

"You don't pay the price - you enjoy the benefit" of work that allows you to contribute to society.

During my journey through this maze, we call life on earth. Here are a few nuggets that I've uncovered - not discovered, there is a big difference. Please understand I don't claim originality to these timeless truths. Like everyone who has come before me, I'm just passing on what's helped me along the way.

First, as we mentioned in a previous podcast, I attribute my positive outlook and optimistic views to listening to audiotapes and reading the books by Zig Ziglar. You see, my life dramatically changed when I moved to California in 1985 to attend the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Santa Monica, CA.

Planning my adventure, I was repeatedly told, "You're an idiot!" (Stinkin' thinkin') "You have no family, no friends there, no place to stay in California. How will you possibly get by?” Kiddingly I would reply, "I'll sleep in my car." But deep down, I kept wondering, maybe they're right – Maybe I will fail and come crawling back home.

In hindsight, my guiding premise was Zig's philosophy, from See You At The Top - "You can get anything in life you want if you just help enough other people get what they want.” I made friends by helping my classmates with their study of Gemology coursework. As a physics major and math minor in college, I simplified the science of Light Theory and Diamond Recut math calculations for me and, in turn, passed my insights along to my classmates.

Little did I realize at the time, management at GIA was watching me. I've detailed the story in my (not entirely) fictional series from 2012 titled - Meet Peridot.

Check out my blog, go to Google, search for PBall001 and click, On the Fly. Those stories reflect my travels over my 30+ years with GIA. If you haven't already guessed, the character Adamas Bontemps is my alter ego.

Another timeless truth augured into my subconscious mind was, "The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it's conformity." - Rollo May.

This lesson came from Earl Nightingale, who said - Success, simply put is, "The Day-by-Day realization of a worthy goal." But of course, it takes courage.

Courage is the freedom to dream, set a goal, write it down, know yourself, and do what excites you. And spend your life working to achieve that goal.

My listening friends, if you can discipline yourself to do this, you are successful, right now, today. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But it wasn't that easy.

Here's why. These ageless truths hold the key to success and the key to failure:

"A man is what he thinks about all day long." - Emerson.

"If you think in negative terms, you will get negative results. If you think in positive terms, you will achieve positive results." - Norman Vincent Peal.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." - Robert Louis Stevenson.

The bible says it this way, "As you sow, so also shall you reap.”

So, what do you allow your thoughts to dwell on each day? Do you spend your life criticizing and complaining about other people? Do you conform to their expectations? (It's so easy to fall into that trap).

Or - do you expect the best for you? By planting positive, constructive, powerful thoughts in your mind each day?

I chose to plant positive seeds. How? I listened to cassettes every day while shaving and showering in the morning, during my commute to and from work, at lunch hour, and on bicycle rides. For ten years, no excuses, every day, thanks to my Sony Walkman, this was the input into my mind (I'm an auditory learner). If you asked me about the news or the world around me, I was oblivious. Now I don't expect you to do what I did. Everyone is unique in the way they learn.

So, what are we talking about? It's simple. Work. 

Unfortunately, "too many people quit looking for work as soon as they find a job.”

"Work is the foundation of all business, the source of all prosperity and the parent of genius. Work can do more to advance youth than his own parents, be they ever so wealthy. It is represented in the humblest savings and has laid the foundation of every fortune. Work is the salt that gives life its savor, but it must be loved before bestow its greatest blessings and achieve its greatest ends. When loved work makes life sweet, purposeful, and fruitful.”

Go to work on yourself. Your mind and body are your vehicles to the future. "And your future is what you make it, so make it a good one!" Doc Brown

And, one day, you will wake up to find that "You" are one of the fine folks that help us all feed the world.

"There ain't no free lunch.”

Thank you all for the treasured gift of your friendship. Make today a GREAT day!

On the Fly is entirely free of advertising. Such heartfelt positive encouragement when you buy me a coffee, knowing my listeners appreciate our weekly visits. Thank you!

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.