I had a private piano student ask me a very revealing question during his lesson last night. He’s a senior in high school and had commented on always being told by teachers, “This is just preparing you for __________”.
In fact, my co-worker and I just had a long talk with our 5th graders about how we are preparing them for middle school.
My student continued, “In middle school they say they’re preparing you for high school, in high school for college, in college for a job, that job leads to another job … what happens when you retire? Do you ever stop working towards something?”
I find this question fascinating. And my answer to him was, “No, you never stop working towards something. Not if you want to continue growing.”
Because it’s true, isn’t it?
I mean unless all you want to do is sit on the beach and drink margaritas…
(that doesn’t sound so bad some days! LOL!)
But we are always working towards something.
Like my father, for example. Successful diplomat with a 30+ year career. What did he do when he retired? Sit on the beach and drink margaritas? Nope. More of the same! But as a contractor. Because he wanted to continue growing. And even now, he has decided to do less but still does outreach work that is deeply meaningful to him.
So, working towards something doesn’t really stop. Not if you want to grow. And I think most of us want to continue growing on some level, as subtle or unconscious as it might be.
Keep growing!
Like a tree.
Do what you love!
Don’t stop.
Speaking of growing…
Today’s leg workout:
Do what makes you happy.
Growth is not optional.