“Would you please just read these 4 pages,” Harold asked. Now he does this often, usually when I’m too busy.
Today was different. The material he wanted me to read is from a book by Matthew Kelley entitled, “The Rhyme of Life”. Matthew is well known in Roman Catholic circles as a teacher-speaker. He’s young, but wise beyond his years. The 4 pages Harold asked me to read are a gift.
Why? Because they address the very reason we are here. At AWP and in life. Kelley speaks to the importance of knowing what we want from life! He laments that most folks can’t answer that question when he asks. They can tell us what they don’t want, but stumble and mumble when asked, “what do you want out of life?”
The book is about, of all things, passion and purpose. What struck me throughout the 4 pages was Kelley’s encouragement to never say, “I’m too young” or “I’m too old!” He goes on to list well known men and women who began the quest for their purpose via a passion at a very young age (i.e. Tiger Woods who shot a 48 on a 9-hole course at age 3). As the list, progressed, the folks who reached their God-given purpose increase in age. Thus his admonition to never consider ourselves too young or too old.
We talk a lot about passion and purpose here. It’s the in subject these days. Aside from the enormous amounts of money folks are making writing and speaking on the subject, there’s a reason for the interest - the buzz.
Kelley also laments that our modern educational system isn’t preparing youth to think for themselves - thus not fostering a desire or providing the tools for finding one’s purpose from the passions we come with.
I’m going to step out on a big limb here! It’s my humble, but considered opinion, that we’re not going to know how our passions workout into our purpose until we enter the 2nd half of the journey! Because it takes wisdom - borne our of understanding and giving meaning to our life experiences - to get there.
“Wisdom is the heart of education!” That’s my quote - me saying that. And if I haven’t been taught in some formal manner to seek meaning and understanding out of what I’ve been taught - it ain’t gonna’ happen until life throws me for a loop in some way. And if I haven’t been given the tools to explore an understanding of the knowledge I’ve gained when it starts working it’s way out in my life - I won’t have the skill to attach personal meaning to it.
I don’t think we’re meant to know - really know at a ‘gut level’ until we have gained some wisdom. Enough wisdom to know how to make it work. And I think that occurs as we move from the bliss of never having to ask -“what does it all mean” - to the moment of truth when we begin asking, “what does it all mean AND where do I fit in?!”
So we’ll continue to talk from time to time, as often as necessary, about passion and purpose. Some of us are well into the 2nd half of the journey and are just now getting a handle on how our passions are to fulfill our unique purpose. Those of you at the front-end of the 2nd half have a decided advantage - you have more chrono-time in which to discover, explore and make happen!
“But to everything there is a season - a time under the heavens.” For all of us there is an appointed season. We may be late in arriving - huffing and puffing - but the season is never late.
As Matthew Kelley so wisely states, “never think you’re too young and never think you’re too old.”
And according to Linda, think always that your time has arrived and take the steps necessary - find those mentors who will guide you - and move rapidly ahead - full steam!!!
It’s Monday. Let’s get moving!
Have an awesome day with much love and great discovery.
Author Resource:-
Linda S. Fitzgerald, M.S.Ed, has a passion for enriching, empowering and encouraging women to achieve their God-given destiny. A professional therapist by background and destiny-design coach, she is chief architect for the web’s newest online COMMUNITY for women over 40! Please visit http://awomensplace.org/blog for great information on topics of interest to women transitioning through life’s most exciting season. Checkout http://www.awomensplace.org to join dynamic women of excellence as we journey through the 2nd half of life together!
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