School of Life
At the very beginning of my doctorate studies, the counselor prepared me for the onslaught of academia pressures to earn this degree. He gave me 3 rules to remember that would make my journey a little easier, ensuring program completion.
I think that we can also apply these 3 admonishments to the school of life. We are here on earth learning life lessons through joy (the easiest of the courses), adversity (the most strenuous, taking us to our knees), and those other routine studies we go through to fulfill our destiny.
3 things to help ACE this life school: Remember:
1) Get in and out of the program as quickly as possible. Do not take a semester off to travel, relax, or regroup. Once you lose momentum it’s harder to get back on the treadmill. If you are tempted to take a side trip you only prolong the program. Procrastination does not cure any problem.
Remember what Pablo Picasso said: “Only put off to tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone”.
2) Whatever hoop they put in front of you, jump through it. The program/life may seem like an endless journey. You may get bogged down, overwhelmed with the immensity of the whole process. Persevere putting one step in front of the other.
Remember this old adage: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
3) Everyone at the cocktail party does NOT want to hear about your thesis. Although you may be totally absorbed in your activities, job, health, kids, problems, etc. keep an open mind and heart to the needs, stories, and outpourings of others. God gave us TWO ears and only ONE mouth for a reason.
Remember the country song by Travis Tritt: “Here’s a quarter, call someone who cares”.
So as you go through your school of life, completing your lessons, if you avoid procrastination, meet each task with perseverance, and listen to learn you will graduate MAGNA CUM LAUDE from this School of Life.
