Success and Learning . . .

Well, in eleven months it’s Christmas again. Time is such a precious commodity that we sometimes take it for granted. We live in an age where it’s go, go, go. I’m not sure where we’re going, or how to get there, but I sure know that we suppose to get there fast. It’s very difficult and challenging to make the effort to try and slow things down. It may be more important now more than ever to force ourselve’s to do that. I read a quote on Facebook the other day by golfing great Ben Hogan, “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses for you only get to play one round”. When I read these words they really hit home. I haven’t consistently taken the time to smell the roses and I’m on the back 9 with only a few holes to play. For the most part I’ve enjoyed the round so far. The playing partners who have been there with me for most of it know full well that there were some good holes, some great holes, and some holes we were just glad to grind it out and get through.

As I reflect on all the many people I’ve come into contact with it amazes me that some I can remember just as clearly as if we had lunch earlier today. There are others who are hazy and I have to think real hard to remember them. There are also a few that I wish I had more time with and there are those that I’m very glad that I don’t have to worry about spending more time with.

One of the pleasures I’ve found in using Facebook and other social media is the opportunity to rekindle some old friendships and acquaintances. I find that I’m very curious about what life has brought to so many of the people I knew in elementary school, high school, university, or in the workplace. We spent a lot of time together, unfortunately in many cases it was only for a few short years. Many years have gone by so if you would like to share with me, that would be nice. I have tried to share about my family and life, but it’s tough to cram all those years into a few paragraphs. But I’m gonna try. That’s one of the reasons for starting the blog and getting the Facebook page going.

If you haven’t noticed yet, my family is everything to me. I often told my staff at the schools I worked in, family comes first. Take care of yourself and your family. For me the next thing is faith. I make no bones about the fact that I am a Christian, I grew up in a United Church of Canada family. I have relied on my faith to help me through many times in life when I didn’t understand why things were happening the way they were. Third on my list is where I often put career. Perhaps, this is why I have always been doomed to middle management, I don’t know. So, if we measure success by career titles and material wealth, then I guess I haven’t been all that successful. However, if you define success by your family and personal values, then I am more successful than I deserve to be. I never really know where to put health. Should it be it’s own item or should it be included with self and family? I guess you’ll have to decide for yourself, but I’m leaning towards self and family.

I want to share something that is very important to me and that is learning. Not just acquiring skills, but being open to the idea of learning new things. Spending most days over the past year as an assistant at Donna’s Day Home, the childcare service provided by my wife Donna, has reinforced with me how important and precious this quality is. Why then do we take if for granted and in many cases stop using it. I don’t think a day goes by, that one of the children isn’t learning something new. My hope is that we adults would open ourselves up; truly open ourselves up to learning new things. This may include, but does not have to be limited to the acquisition of new skills. I think it is far more important that we allow ourselves to be open to new ideas; to be ‘Open to the Possibility’. So, I challenge my Friends and Followers to accept this philosophy and share with me on GrandpaGuy.com something that you have recently learned.