Upon further consideration of the man who posted it and the outlook espoused, I began to ponder the differences in values, our ages, etc. It occurred to me that I know several people who, during their “work years” – those years between 25-55 years of age, held or operated on values that focused on reality: the needs of life, self-respect, accomplishing goals, etc. But then when they got to retirement age (or close to it), their values seem to change a bit but it’s difficult to articulate what they change to. They become more spiritual?
Using the example of one man I know, he spent the years immediately after high school in the Army. After he completed a stint of service in the Army he entered a county police force and spent 25 years as a police officer, serving and protecting. He surely saw some of the ugliest side of our society. During those years his values focused on his work ethic, the morality of his actions on the job, his duty to provide for his family, and the importance of self-reliance – as much as is possible in today’s society. Then he reached retirement and became, for lack of a better word, a hippy. He embraced travel, a focus on appreciating the beauty of the world around us, charity and generally enjoying life.
– – – – – – – – –
The remainder of this essay can be found in the book “Farther Down The Road”
Farther Down the Road – Where does your life’s road lead?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTJ1B2QR
Life and Self-Perception
On one of my social media feeds, a man I’ve met only briefly but who I hold in high regard posted (paraphrased): “In a cosmic sense, man isn’t far above the cockroach and we might do well to remember that.” Another comment was made that there is a distinct difference between those who recognize that and those who don’t. I put forth the comment that even though the original statement might be entirely true, that didn’t reduce the fact that cockroaches still strive to live and survive. A short while later the whole post was taken down and I was left wondering what I had said wrong… or if my comment had perhaps made the person who posted it think about his statement.
Upon further consideration of the man who posted it and the outlook espoused, I began to ponder the differences in values, our ages, etc. It occurred to me that I know several people who, during their “work years” – those years between 25-55 years of age, held or operated on values that focused on reality: the needs of life, self-respect, accomplishing goals, etc. But then when they got to retirement age (or close to it), their values seem to change a bit but it’s difficult to articulate what they change to. They become more spiritual?
Using the example of one man I know, he spent the years immediately after high school in the Army. After he completed a stint of service in the Army he entered a county police force and spent 25 years as a police officer, serving and protecting. He surely saw some of the ugliest side of our society. During those years his values focused on his work ethic, the morality of his actions on the job, his duty to provide for his family, and the importance of self-reliance – as much as is possible in today’s society. Then he reached retirement and became, for lack of a better word, a hippy. He embraced travel, a focus on appreciating the beauty of the world around us, charity and generally enjoying life.
– – – – – – – – –
The remainder of this essay can be found in the book “Farther Down The Road”
Farther Down the Road – Where does your life’s road lead?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTJ1B2QR
Upon further consideration of the man who posted it and the outlook espoused, I began to ponder the differences in values, our ages, etc. It occurred to me that I know several people who, during their “work years” – those years between 25-55 years of age, held or operated on values that focused on reality: the needs of life, self-respect, accomplishing goals, etc. But then when they got to retirement age (or close to it), their values seem to change a bit but it’s difficult to articulate what they change to. They become more spiritual?
Using the example of one man I know, he spent the years immediately after high school in the Army. After he completed a stint of service in the Army he entered a county police force and spent 25 years as a police officer, serving and protecting. He surely saw some of the ugliest side of our society. During those years his values focused on his work ethic, the morality of his actions on the job, his duty to provide for his family, and the importance of self-reliance – as much as is possible in today’s society. Then he reached retirement and became, for lack of a better word, a hippy. He embraced travel, a focus on appreciating the beauty of the world around us, charity and generally enjoying life.
– – – – – – – – –
The remainder of this essay can be found in the book “Farther Down The Road”
Farther Down the Road – Where does your life’s road lead?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTJ1B2QR
