Filed under: Comment
I remember my Mum asking me what I thought we were all here for.
That was a pretty heavy question over cornflakes, so I am sure I spluttered out some rubbish.
But she didn’t.
As I wrote here, Mum had a clear point of view on what she thought it was.
Now I am a father, I think she was right [as usual] however I recently read a comment in a newspaper [yes, just like I did earlier in the week] that I think expresses a wonderful way to approach life.
Before I get to it, I should point out the persons comment was in relation to an article about divorce, however even though the bit that grabbed me was only 12 words long, the overall comment is pretty good.
Here it is …
So the bit I loved was when they said this:
We are all passing through and wondering what it’s all about.
I love that.
I love that it frees you to make mistakes … try things … explore and experiment.
The reason I am writing this post is because I just freak out how many people I know pretend they’ve got it together.
Well, some of them are not pretending – they really think they have – but life isn’t linear and while some are born into a lifestyle that affords them greater control than the rest of us, the majority are all wandering and wondering.
When I lived in Australia I lived with a fantastic housemate.
She was Canadian and worked for a tech company.
She got paid A FORTUNE … and I remember her telling me her plan.
She was going to stay in her role for 2 years, get promoted to a very specific job and then do that for a about 3 years and then either get transferred back to Canada in a senior leadership role or get headhunted for one of 3 other companies that she was prepared to work for.
I must admit at the time, I was both impressed and intimidated.
Impressed that someone could have their shit so together.
Initiated because I didn’t and never have.
[FYI, her plan didn’t end up working out. Well, it did, but in a totally different way]
As I’ve written before, my parents always wanted me to live a fulfilled, rather than contented life, and as part of that they have always encouraged me to follow what excites and intrigues me. That didn’t mean they would be OK with my flitting from thing-to-thing, however if there was something that I truly loved and I committed to it, they’d be fully behind me, even if it meant I’d never be that lawyer/doctor/orchestral musician they’d of loved me to be. Ha.
While there’s been the odd bit of stupidity, I’ve tried to follow that approach and want to continue doing it even though the needs of my beautiful son now become a driving factor in our decisions … but contrary to what many may think, there is no plan and there has never has been a plan … and while I accept I’ve been very fortunate in so much I’ve done, those 12 words finally let me feel I’m not an idiot for choosing this path and I hope it helps the countless other people I know who are going through life looking without really knowing what they’re looking for, other than to feel that they have lived and that they have mattered – whether that’s to many or to just one.
Have a great weekend.
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This post goes on lots of little journeys but all of them end up in nice places. A good way to end the week Robert. Have a good weekend back.
Comment by George September 30, 2016 @ 6:27 amthose 12 words also cover what every creative does when they meet a fucking planner.
Comment by andy@cynic September 30, 2016 @ 6:40 amthink mrs c nailed the answer. the rest of us are trying to work it out and not fuck ourselves up while we walk around in fucking circles.
Comment by andy@cynic September 30, 2016 @ 6:41 amThe only people who are free to make mistakes … try things … explore and experiment are the privileged. The rest (including some of the ostensibly privileged) just live lives of quiet desperation.
Comment by John September 30, 2016 @ 7:02 amOne day in the office, we all agreed Rob sold his soul to the devil to be as lucky as he is and doesn’t deserve.
Comment by DH September 30, 2016 @ 7:09 amSo are you saying satan put you guys in my life to protect his investment?
Comment by Rob September 30, 2016 @ 9:35 amSerious question Rob. Do you think that if you were starting your working life today, you would have the opportunities you did when you really started?
Comment by DH September 30, 2016 @ 7:11 amThe world is better equipped to deal with this kind of threat now.
Comment by Bazza September 30, 2016 @ 8:02 amI don’t think so. My parents support wouldn’t have changed but I don’t know if an agency would now be willing to take a chance on someone who didn’t go to university. I get they want smart people, but I still passionately disagree that going to university is the ultimate demonstration of being clever.
Comment by Rob September 30, 2016 @ 9:36 amI hate admitting this, but you gave me the sort of encouragement and belief your parents gave you. I will always be grateful for that but will only admit it this one time.
Comment by Bazza September 30, 2016 @ 8:04 amPrinting this and framing this.
Comment by Rob September 30, 2016 @ 9:37 amBless Familie Campbell, always
Comment by Han Xi September 30, 2016 @ 3:09 pm