We count things in life.
- Number of cars.
- Number of kids.
- Number of bedrooms.
- Number of jobs.
- Number in our paycheck.
All numbers are not bad. They may reflect a consistency, an accomplishment, or positive years forward.
For me, it is a year of numbers. My dad turned 80 years old. My mom is 75. My parents are married for 55 years now. I turned 50. All nice sounding numbers.
Life changes. Constantly. Consistently.
My parents live a different life today than they once did. Today, a week will typically include appointments with doctors, work at their church, fellowship with others, and a nap to keep spirited. It is different than before in that there are no fields to work, cows to feed, or gardens to tend to. Their work years are increasingly distant memories.
Through their hard work, though, four kids have solid lives, and many people throughout their community have been blessed by their kindness, their time, and their conversations.
Being married for 55 years sets another mile marker in life. Today, this one becomes increasingly rare. Growing up, we saw them kiss at least three times each day and a few hugs in between. No marriage is a storybook one, but theirs may be close. They worked at it. They are true partners in life, a solid approach for relationships.
Numbers in life can you hit you at times.
I’ll be honest; turning 50 is different than others. It isn’t bad, just different. I started writing a post about 50 on 50, highlighting things to do, not do, or just lessons learned in my life. Maybe I’ll finish it. Maybe it represents my life – undone, meaning much more to do.
People often ask you numbered questions about your life:
- How old are you?
- How many years have you been married?
- How many kids do you have?
- How many bedrooms does your home have?
- How many people do you manage?
There needs to be a twist on our numbers.
The real questions should be:
- How many years have you been living your purpose?
- How many years have you made the most out of your relationships?
- How many youth, families, or others have you helped?
- How many people have you guided to become better leaders or team members?
There are numbers that matter in life. We just need to focus on the right ones.
What other numbered questions should we really ask and embrace in life and leadership?
I love the pintograph one of the editors at The High Calling posted for this:
http://pinterest.com/pin/29062360066478131/
You inspired us, Jon!
Thanks for letting me know that, Marcus! Very well done! Grateful for The High Calling community… they always inspire me! Jon
Jon – I loved this post, how you turned the numbers on their heads. I wanted to let you know that we are featuring this post on the High Calling tomorrow. Thanks for being an important part of our community!
Wow! Thanks, Charity. That is great! Appreciate your feedback and the wonderful community at High Calling. Jon
Excellent post Jon. The tenor of your article makes me think of that poem about “the dash” – on your tombstone the “dash” between the years you lived – and how you lived your life in all those numbered years between your birth and death.
What an excellent example of relational commitment you have in your parents! What’s really amazing to me is the millions of little moments they’ve experienced in those 55 years where they were faced with choices in life to either keep moving forward or get off track and call it quits.
Thanks for the perspective-setter.
Randy
Thanks, Randy. Appreciate that!
I have not heard of the Dash poem, but found it on Google. It is spot on. We need to make the most of our moments in our “dash” years.
Thank you for adding to the conversation. Grateful!
Jon