What or how do you want the game to end?
I use to say that some day I will see my dad drive off into the sunset driving a tractor which is just like him. My dad, Clifford Olson, lived with a purpose. Every morning he would get up before daylight and I don't know how he did it but he always had a mental list of what needed to be done. He had a great attitude in that he seemed to love whatever he was doing even if it were running a weed eater or driving steel posts while making a fence. I don't ever remember him being particularly competitive in any way but he seemed to always have a purpose. That reminds me, you should look up Jim Whitt's website, http://www.purposeunlimited.com and sign up for his blog. He is from Shidler or Apperson or Denoya (not sure which one). Back to the story: So here I am and maybe you too, 65 years old (Joe Conner had a birthday yesterday 5/2 and I believe it was 1948) and thinking about what I want to do the rest of my life.
So here goes, "be prepared to live, not wait to die". So what if you are not the most organized or the most talented or smartest person around. I just want to finish strong, do something meaningful, not necessarily great. Dad did something meaningful in that he left a legacy to all his children and grandchildren. Cliff Crow and Richard Crow and Chase Olson (grandson's) will tell you their grandpa made a big difference in them. He gave them an example to live by and I would say they are three of the greatest dads out there. You/I may never know what our legacy is or will be but I believe if we purpose to make a difference it will be great. Well, I don't know how you are going to prepare to live but here is my list:
I use to say that some day I will see my dad drive off into the sunset driving a tractor which is just like him. My dad, Clifford Olson, lived with a purpose. Every morning he would get up before daylight and I don't know how he did it but he always had a mental list of what needed to be done. He had a great attitude in that he seemed to love whatever he was doing even if it were running a weed eater or driving steel posts while making a fence. I don't ever remember him being particularly competitive in any way but he seemed to always have a purpose. That reminds me, you should look up Jim Whitt's website, http://www.purposeunlimited.com and sign up for his blog. He is from Shidler or Apperson or Denoya (not sure which one). Back to the story: So here I am and maybe you too, 65 years old (Joe Conner had a birthday yesterday 5/2 and I believe it was 1948) and thinking about what I want to do the rest of my life.
So here goes, "be prepared to live, not wait to die". So what if you are not the most organized or the most talented or smartest person around. I just want to finish strong, do something meaningful, not necessarily great. Dad did something meaningful in that he left a legacy to all his children and grandchildren. Cliff Crow and Richard Crow and Chase Olson (grandson's) will tell you their grandpa made a big difference in them. He gave them an example to live by and I would say they are three of the greatest dads out there. You/I may never know what our legacy is or will be but I believe if we purpose to make a difference it will be great. Well, I don't know how you are going to prepare to live but here is my list:
- Serve and love my children
- spend time with my grandchildren (only one right now but she is perfect)
- Mentor a few folks
- Fish with friends and family
- Take dance lessons (Shouna and I are in our second month of country dancing)
- start another business, or is it too late? Lane Legacy (lanelegacy.company)
- Let folks know that I am a believer in Christ and am not perfect but only through Him can I be
- do what is right and it will work out
- someone is watching you and learning from you every moment
- as Dad would say, "let's do something even if it is wrong"
Thanks for listening,
gary
gary@thepioneerman.com
