As I look out at my life it appears that I am still learning even in the latter stages of life. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Or can you? I think you can but the more important questions is…”will these new tricks that I haven’t seen be of any value?” The answer for me leastwise, is probably not. I’ve seen so much over the years it’s all old hat. “Nothing new under the sun,” as they say. I give you the example of the automobile. If you could get a brand new 1997 something or other, same as you drive now; there would be negligible difference in value or experience. Sure the nuances of different vehicles is always there, but both have standard power brakes, steering, windows, mirrors, seats, radial tires, independent suspensions, A/C, multi media players, and 100,000 mile reliability; all of the things that make automobile transport comfortable. My point being, is that the improvements in these same features has been so finite that if the old was not getting older no one would care! Today we have improvement for the sake of itself with no benefit in sight. Another maybe more universal example is Windows, since about version 7 I have not had a better experience only the frustration of its improvement!
But then there is that odd occasion when I flounder upon something that wakes me up and jabs my soul with zeal, kinda like whacking a funny bone. Although that funny bone is not quite near funny, my experience is a jolt, a quickening, a rousing or gripping, to mention a few. Have you recently experience the observation of a thing and it provoked you to spend hours investigating, reading, searching or meditating upon the subject convinced that once you get all of it you can; you or your life will be markedly better? Whatever the cost I need to get it!
More recently in my life I have had some shall we say, ‘legal disgruntle-ments’. I made that up so that I would not write the next 100 words to explain it. Suffice it to say I need to learn about some legal things to protect my interests. Not something to which I was looking forward. I’ve not had an interest in law mostly because the law people I know of are not my favorite group of individuals for a number of very good reasons. Mostly incompetence.
In any case I embarked upon this journey months ago with intrepidation. I didn’t want to go but the need to understand at least the basics of my situation dictated go; I must or give up on a lot of time and money and just move on. So I went. And let me tell you what I found. I found a quickening in an area of my life that I did not know existed! I found a place in me that was not alive and well. Missing if you will. Part of me missing? Hmph. I found an idea that intrigues me so that I can not get enough about it. I have three browser tabs at any given time on my computer, a number of pdf documents going at any given time, joining forums and such to plug into the group of people that have been before me; to a place I’ve never heard of until now. It is exciting and fills my lungs with a very cool, crisp new wind that is most exhilarating and refreshing to my spirit. I can’t get enough and want more knowing that I’ll be better off than before.
This is in stark contrast to my general outlook about things. Recently I bought a 3D printer. I know CADD, I’m comfortable with computers and I know what I want to do. Once I got into the fray I realized that the learning curve for the various softwares and nuances of printing were outside of my value proposition. Meaning what I was getting from it was less valuable than what I had to put into it. In other words, what I was getting cost too much. Let me say it another way; I would gladly pay $25,000 for a 97 F250 and all of it’s shortcomings than $90,000 for a new Silverado and whatever its supposed benefits are. Just not going to do it. Neither the 3D printer nor the Silverado will make me better, better off or better equipped to handle my future! Why bother?
On the other hand it may or may not be true of my new endeavor but I like the prospect, I like the breadth and depth that my world view is taking on! I like the feeling of empowerment, growth and understanding that comes in significant ways.
This old dog is learning new tricks and is going to enjoy them! The old dog’s new tricks make him a new dawg, and that’s righteous!
Run with the BIG DAWGS and find YOU something to LIGHT your fire!