Quarter
I grew up with Brian Andreas art — distinctively colorful, poetic and profound — warming the walls of my home.
Rather fond of the playful pieces as a child, it was significant when I moved out at 18 and acquired my own.
It was one of those read-and-immediately-know-to-be-true works, which I have carried in my home, my head, and my heart ever since.
”She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad,
but because the world was so beautiful and life was so short.”
No more appropriate words come to mind as I write this, reflecting on the miracle that is life, and how happy and grateful I am for the past 25 years of it.
To memorialize the people, experiences, and lessons so far, here are 25 things I’ve learned in 25 years (mostly borrowed, in no particular order, subject to change at any time) that I hope to remember for the next 25.
Future self:
- There is no right answer. Go for the second most right answer. — Laura Sandefer
2. Being loved is more enjoyable than being impressive. — Donald Miller
3. Whatever was powerful enough to give me life is also powerful enough to guide that life.
4. Relationships are inefficient. It’s not only okay, it’s beautiful.
5. Each life comes with a unique gift to contribute. When we fail to cultivate that potential, the world loses something it can never replace.
6. A good name is rather to be had than great riches. — Imre Horvath, Jake Sandefer
7. The world is a book: if you do not travel, you only read one page. Travel.
8. Being a human is hard. Graciousness and understanding. Graciousness and understanding. More graciousness and understanding.
9. The world around you is only the way it is because someone found an approach that worked “good enough” for the rest of us to adopt. Just because there is “a” way, does not mean it is “the” way, and you should never be too afraid to question and explore a new way.
10. Most of what we think qualifies as listening only scratches the surface. When we do figure it out, real listening and attention are the most generous gift we can give.
11. It’s not only possible, but enjoyable, to disagree with mutual respect, and to learn and be more for the experience. –Jacek Prus (+Acton class of 2017)
12. We are capable of more than we know, and need people who hold high us to standards that support reaching that potential. –Mark Friedman
13. Life gets good again. –Ann McCloskey
14. Patience and compassion can, and should, be learned. — Zach Horvath
15. People are always trying to teach you how to love them. Listen. — Steven Tomlinson
16. The Mind is a gift, and the experience — not result — of developing it should be an adventure and joy to relish. — Steve Hagey
17. How you do anything is how you do everything.
18. Compensation will always be in direct proportion to your contribution and service. Focus on creating value, dollars follow.
19. The most enjoyable things in life are usually also the simplest and most accessible. Birds chirping, flowers blooming, and clouds passing are there no matter what you’ve accomplished (or not accomplished), no matter how much money you make (or don’t make). In other words, A simple life may also be the most enjoyable, and fulfilling.
— Me, TBD
20. Be there for people. — Mom
21. You can learn, grow, and change no matter your age or experiences, and the ripple effect of this on everyone around you should never be underestimated. — Dad
22. It is not enough to be busy, so too are the ants. The question is, what are you busy about?
23. Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.
Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills.
Don’t wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom.
— Jim Rohn
24. See and take the small bows
“… a goal isn’t worth arriving at unless you enjoy the journey. ‘You have to look at success, incrementally. It takes too long to get to any major success. If one can look at life as being successful on a moment-by-moment basis, one might find that most of it is successful. And take the bow inside for it. When we wait for the big bow, it’s a lousy bargain. They don’t come but once in too a long time.” — Warren Bennis
25. Come back with great stories.
