This morning, there was an announcement on the radio of some government department seeking over 1,500 people to fill positions that were being vacated by retiring workers. It all sounded very good: safety in perpetuity. In this economy, as with every past economy, young people have always been encouraged to “play it safe – no risks!” The great difficulty faced by all is that we live in a “world of pictures” that fills us with the intrinsic want for adventure: fantastical computer games only reinforce this. You can take that mind-numbing job, but for how long and at what risk to your psyche? I was speaking with a young man recently about his future and what it would entail. We discussed what he liked and he then presented a true cornucopia of ideas and possibilities. Would this clever and intuitive mind be well served by a repetitive and monotonous position, no matter how well paid with its attendant benefits?
The article, The brain’s ability to function can start to deteriorate as early as 45, should give us pause when we are in the process of deciding our life path. “University College London (UCL) researchers found a 3.6% decline in mental reasoning in women and men aged 45-49. … They assessed the memory, vocabulary and comprehension skills of 7,000 men and women aged 45 to 70 over 10 years. … The UCL researchers tested the cognitive functions of 5,198 men and 2,192 women aged 45 to 70, who were all UK civil servants, from 1997 to 2007.” (1) The point here is not only attributable to government workers; it is also related to any individual who knows that they are capable of something more in their existence. They have more potential than stamping mindless forms. Now, to be fair, in Western culture as in Eastern culture, there are numerous examples of individuals who had a bureaucratic position and yet created magnificent works of literature or of thought: Kafka (1883-1924) worked for an insurance company, while Kant (1724-1804) was a teacher.
I believe, however, that it is not as easy today for the budding intellectual. When these historical men returned to their abodes, there was not the screaming white noise (2) of the Internet or of the television. They easily found solace and peace: this could have but furthered their introspective endeavors. Can we easily achieve this state today: perhaps not?
Now what is truly called for in our educational system and in life is for a real understanding of our society: what it is and where it is going? We need to instruct all citizens in critical thinking skills. The achievement of this cognitive process is not difficult, but does take dedication and devotion.
On the employment or, more hopefully, the career side, how do we find something that gives us this “spiritual fuel,” something that ignites our passion for the rest of our life? The simplest steps are in a way the most difficult: we must act! We must put a plan into action. Failure to act is also an action – the act of inaction; this also produces a result. We could attempt something analogous to Ben Franklin’s Decision Making Process. (3) We simply write down the positive and negative aspects of a position, for example. If there are more positive attributes than negative we pursue the job, if not, we don’t, etc. The key here is momentum: get moving and make your life the exciting expression that it is supposed to be. The great poet and transcendentalist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, (1803-1882) leaves us with a thought: Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.
A small joke: A patron was having dinner in an elegant and expensive restaurant. To his horror, he realized that there was a small bug floating in his soup. He angrily summoned the head waiter. “What is the meaning of this mite in my broth?” he demanded. “The waiter was tired of arrogant and rude clients. He thus replied facetiously, “I don’t know sir. I am not a fortune teller.”
This week, please think of your own dynamic life plans
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: The beauty of life is its innocence and its simplicity. When properly respected and nurtured, however, it bears enormous and joyous fruit.
Footnotes:
1) Brain function can start declining ‘as early as age 45’
2) White noise is unremitting sound, it is often viewed negatively and as dangerous to the psyche.