This is a tale of two people who took different paths in their lives. One worked his entire life in a career he did not like. In fact during the past 20 years, he stated numerous times that he was working towards retirement. He really wanted to be a teacher but being a lawyer provided him more financial stability. He put up with a daily grind that he had distain for because he was able to sock money away in his 401(k) and just count the hours, days, weeks and years until he could cash in the money earned with blood, sweat and tears.
He would then start to really live his life.
Then the 401(k) went down the tubes with the economic meltdown.
On the other end of the spectrum, I have another friend who has never felt like he worked a day in his life. Every time the field he was passionate about became boring or seemed like a grind he changed careers. He’s an entrepreneur and changed the nature of his small business each time he felt it was time for a new challenge.
He refused to wait until the future to “live his life”, so he lived each day to the fullest. He has always made a decent living and his enterprise still has saying power. He accomplished that without ever sacrificing a day in the present on the altar of the future.
I see so many people bitter over what they have lost. I hear so many of them lamenting the fact that they toiled for years and earned the right to retire. They sacrificed their present and worked toward the benefits of life after work. Unfortunately, things didn’t fall into place as hoped.
Not fair.
Nevertheless, this provides a profound message for those who want to heed it. Do not postpone your bliss because there is no guarantee beyond the present moment.
DO NOT BECOME A LAWYER IF TEACHING IS WHAT YOUR HEART SCREAMS FOR.
Both of these people have about the same amount of money now. Both are in their late to early 50’s and 60’s. One is living a life where the “best laid plans” failed him while the other lives each day like it is his last.
Happy Monday and seize the day my friends!
Tags: 401 K, bliss, career, change, choices, economic crisis, future, happiness, hope, inspiration, kevin touhey, life, meltdown, miracles, money, optimism, risks, savings, stability, transform your life
The Miracle Blog 
June 16, 2009 at 3:40 am |
Two phrases come to mind Kevin.
(1) Life is what happens to you when you’re making other plans; and
(2) Most humans live inconsequential lives.
We’re both in a business (and thus an environment) where we regularly encounter highly motivated people, who feel that they have some degree of control over the direction their lives take. Unfortunately, most people do not really fit that mold.
Our job is to convince them otherwise.