There's something about little first and second graders. They are so funny with such wild imaginations. We had the end of the year celebrations for our seven and eight year old boys at school today. We sat in the darkened auditorium and enjoyed listening during the first grade presentation at what the children wanted to be when they grew up...an artist, a professional football player, a zoo keeper. When the first grade was done and given a roaring ovation of love and applause, we watched as the second graders took the stage. It was surprising at how these students seemed to appear so much older and wiser than the younger class before. How could one year make such a difference? Even their dreams of the future seemed to change. You were hard pressed to find a future Luke Skywalker in the bunch. It made me think of what anybody wanted to do when they "grew up." How do we end up doing what makes us happy? Is that possible?
I work as a therapist in different facilities, primarily with the elderly. I often listen in awe at their past experiences of some 90 plus years. One thing that I have taken away from "The Meaning of Life" if you will, from these treasures of history is pretty simple. It's your attitude towards things. How you think and feel about different situations, yourself and others seems to be a pretty big key. One 95 year old woman, for instance, can tell you of decades of despair, of the "Great Depression," of love and loss, but she will still have a warmth in her eyes and a faith in God, as she tells you of the good times too. I've heard some stories of war that you wouldn't believe. I have heard jaw dropping nightmares from soldiers, from prisoners of war, from people of different countries and from folks that were born in raised in the same hometown. No matter what their background, when someone has been through so much and yet still has a light about them, they're still "happy" even at the end of it all.
On the other hand, there are those who have had everything and anything they've ever wanted, but they're still upset. You know that "grouchy old man/woman" you picture at the drug store?...yep, that guy. No matter what they have or how much they were given in life, it doesn't matter. They're still bitter. I've learned this lesson from them. As cliché as it may seem, it's really not about wanting what you don't have in life...it's wanting what you do. It's your attitude towards this and what you make of it that’s all the difference.
So as we start this summer with our eight year old engineer, our seven year old astronaut, our four year old spiderman and our three year old tooth fairy, I hope they grow up to be happy, no matter what may come. Because at the end of the day, a positive attitude, happiness and strong faith, will pull them through.
I work as a therapist in different facilities, primarily with the elderly. I often listen in awe at their past experiences of some 90 plus years. One thing that I have taken away from "The Meaning of Life" if you will, from these treasures of history is pretty simple. It's your attitude towards things. How you think and feel about different situations, yourself and others seems to be a pretty big key. One 95 year old woman, for instance, can tell you of decades of despair, of the "Great Depression," of love and loss, but she will still have a warmth in her eyes and a faith in God, as she tells you of the good times too. I've heard some stories of war that you wouldn't believe. I have heard jaw dropping nightmares from soldiers, from prisoners of war, from people of different countries and from folks that were born in raised in the same hometown. No matter what their background, when someone has been through so much and yet still has a light about them, they're still "happy" even at the end of it all.
On the other hand, there are those who have had everything and anything they've ever wanted, but they're still upset. You know that "grouchy old man/woman" you picture at the drug store?...yep, that guy. No matter what they have or how much they were given in life, it doesn't matter. They're still bitter. I've learned this lesson from them. As cliché as it may seem, it's really not about wanting what you don't have in life...it's wanting what you do. It's your attitude towards this and what you make of it that’s all the difference.
So as we start this summer with our eight year old engineer, our seven year old astronaut, our four year old spiderman and our three year old tooth fairy, I hope they grow up to be happy, no matter what may come. Because at the end of the day, a positive attitude, happiness and strong faith, will pull them through.
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