It’s common this time of year to reflect on life and the things for which we're thankful. I try to make it a daily habit and lately in these reflections I've stumbled onto something I’m continuing to ponder. It seems to me the things of which we are most afraid, and the things for which we are most thankful, are largely things that are out of our control. Mmmmmm.
Anyway, I have been a lucky man. I still am. I have done many, many things to keep the wolves at bay. I’ve made it, lost it all, made it again, lost it again, and managed to land on my feet yet another time.
Somehow, in spite of my tracing parabolic family finance curves, my wife and I raised two daughters that are way more accomplished in their 20’s than most in their 30's. They're real braggin’ material and they make my heart swell to bursting. I tried to instill in them the ability to take a risk and to live a life with purpose.
I also tried to let them know that the myth of “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is a myth. I’m lucky now to be doing something I adore, and as a result I work harder than I ever have done. (Dad's philosophy tenet number 67: If it proports to be a life philosophy, but it fits on a bumper sticker, it's probably a punch line.)
No matter what we do, there’s always an element of work. Don’t avoid the work, revel in it. Work is restorative, it can give meaning and context to all that we do. It's the only thing that moves mountains.
Everything I’ve done has in some way informed the things that followed. I still use things daily that I learned as a doorman. The kind of care and planning that goes into working a job site in 38 degree rainy weather without freezing to death, can make a budget meeting with a board of directors a much more pleasant experience. And even if that meeting gets unpleasant, one can always seek comfort in the knowledge that at least an icy trickle of water isn’t currently running down your butt crack. (Could be worse. Could be raining).
Nothing is waisted and effort is always rewarded…eventually, and not always how you’d pictured it. There’s always something new to learn, and wonder can always be found in the gifts, expertise, and fortitude of those around you.
I’m no where near as eloquent as our Donald Hall of the pipe fitters, but he inspires me to share. Thanks for all the hard work, Stan. Happy Thanksgiving to all.