Finding Meaning and Passion:Arnie and Maria

What do you want to do when you grow up? You might remember hearing that question when you were younger. In high school, the guidance counselor may have talked to you about your classes and your future plans. Then, if you went to college you had to declare a major and make more choices. Looking back, many of us did not have a clue as to what we wanted to do the next day let alone for the rest of our lives. Some of us took the easy way out, by joining the military, taking a leave of absence, or being liberal arts major. Others seemed, at the time, to know exactly what they wanted to do. We should ask them if they were right about their choice. Perhaps, things or people change after 20 or so years. I realize I’m being facetious.

I remember hearing at one point about choosing the door and going through it. This was supposed to lead you in the right direction regarding school and career. However, depending upon the door you chose the decision sends you down a path that make it very difficult to deviate. And the further and further you travel might narrow the choices and lead to less options. So my question is “how many of you got lucky with your initial choice”? Did you get it right? Are you happy and fulfilled with your career?

In the Wall Street Journal, there is an article titled “Second Acts” written by Kristi Essick which is about four people taking a new path or direction in changing their life. For example, Dr. David Weinberg is a pathologist but is now pursuing his lifelong love in photography. Donald Arthur is a bookkeeper and is now running marathons. Lisa Schwartz is a management consultant and is now a farmer-cheese maker. I don’t know if these individuals found their passion in their initial careers, but I do hope that they find it now.

One major theme in my book is to find your passion and meaning in your life. I realize this is an existential point of view and I also know it is very important. Passion and meaning assist us in creating, in my opinion, a more fulfilling lifestyle. In fact, prescription 2 “Find meaning in an activity outside of family, career, or raising kids; it can build self-esteem” is found in my book and is one of seven prescriptions. The more meaning to your life and the more passion that you can bring to it can only enlighten and enrich it. It is never too late to make changes for your betterment.

I heard that Arnie and Maria are separating. Chances are something is missing. It might be passion, meaning or something else. After being governor, I read that Arnie is likely going to make another action movie. If that gives him meaning and passion so be it. Find it Arnie. Sometimes it’s easy to find but often it is not. Sometimes we can find it within ourselves.Tony and I ran an easy 5 mile loop on the trail today. We are talking and planning for the next run. We both agree that it is fun and enjoyable running on new and different trails. Running for me is about meaning and passion.