Why is it that so many singer-song writers like Billy Joel or Elton John tend to stop creating new music once they’ve reached a certain age or level of success? While there may be some exceptions, most creative people who realize early success tend to stop creating before they hit middle age. I believe that success and comfort can easily be followed by leisure and contentment. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with that. We all need to stop and smell the roses from time to time. I’m just of the opinion that in order to remain our happiest, we should always have an inspiring goal that’s ahead.
I think it was Zig Ziglar who said, “If what you did yesterday looks big to you, you haven’t done much today.”
I’ve seen unhappiness in many people who have accomplished a great deal of success in the early part of their lives. After the initial afterglow of their success wears off, there are often thoughts like, “Is that all there is.” They stop doing the things that made them successful. Over time, unhappiness sets in. I know of people who are being treated for depression, yet they seem to have it all.
On the other hand, busy people are rarely depressed. It’s almost impossible to be busy and actively engaged in the creative process, and still be depressed. As human beings, we are complicated creatures. Our emotions will propel us when we are on the right path, and they can turn on us when we are inactive or traveling in the wrong direction.
I think that all people are born with certain talents. I’m also of the mindset that it is up to us to use and develop the talents that we’ve been given to the best of our ability (throughout our lifetime). At the risk of sounding cliché; we are all here for the briefest of times. At the end of our days, let our wins and our losses be counted along with the kindness that we’ve shown to others. Let it show that while we were here, we never stopped using and creating with the talents that we have been given. Let our life’s work, whatever that may be, show a life well lived for the benefit of all to see.
There are great inventions in every field and every endeavor that are waiting to be created. There are processes and systems that can be developed to improve the quality of everything in our world. There are words that need to be written for people to read. There is music waiting to be written and played for the enjoyment and betterment of others. There are acts of kindness that need to be shared with other people who will one day pay it forward. There is the giving of ourselves and our talents for all the world to benefit from.
It’s okay if we struggle with this from time to time. It’s not easy to do, but it’s necessary in order to find true happiness. We need to try. Even if we fail, we need to try again and again. We need to continue to do that which has been given for us to do. We need to use our talents to create and to do the things that we are meant to do.
“We are not in a position in which we have nothing to work with. We already have capacities, talents, direction, missions, callings”. - Abraham Maslow
Yours in Rotary,
Tony Parziale