I think that when we are young we do all the crazy stuff and experiment all over the place to discover who we are and what our direction in life may be. Then as we reach middle age we begin to focus on what we have always wanted to do, our path is refined and we build a direction. Anyone who accomplishes these two steps earlier than middle age is very lucky to have found direction and focus so early. Most of us, I think, flounder and experiment for a very long time.
Yesterday would have been my father's 70th birthday, or 68th birthday - I can never be sure of which year he was born. He was pushed by his mother into a working field that was not his first choice. But I think by the time he was in his 40's he was a happy person. I don't think he ever really did what he wanted to in that life. It is surprising to me how many people simply accept life as it is and just make do. I don't quite know what it is about my personality that doesn't allow me to simply accept a life and forces me to find what really invigorates my self. I go a little stir crazy when I look at just maintaining the way things are without creating something new and interesting to look forward to.
Coincidentally, (or ironically) the theme of self discovery has been a topic of consideration for me for a while now. I wonder if those people who seem to settle don't, but instead ease into the discovery that they've done what they wanted all along.
ReplyDeletePerhaps. I guess I see so much more potential in life and I wonder why others don't. But that would explain much of the status quo.
ReplyDelete