I have to share this, there are simply too many life lessons that have been thought of after being asked this question recently.
The story …
A few weeks ago, was busy. I had some skin cancer cut off my shoulder, 2 other spots scraped off my back on day 1 of being home. I also had removed the wheels off my new ride and was in process of prepping them while I had this surgery, and we caught the second half of Brock's football game. Day two was spent (with stitches) continuing the prep for wheel painting … and painting the wheels. Days 3 and 4 of being away from flying were spent on my other passion - detailing cars. And the tail end of day 4 was spent with Family for Brocks 17th birthday. The time off was … awesome.
So someone that was in my house for Brocks party (I won't mention any names), asked me what I had been up to on my last day off. I said I had just delivered a car back to town that I had detailed. She was stunned, her Husband was laughing because he thought I was telling a joke … and she asked again, 'No really, what did you do today?' No, really, I just delivered a car to town that I detailed, I'm detailing cars now.
She looks at me like I have 2 heads and says 'So Beaner just got a job, you fly, and now you're cleaning cars. What are you ... poor?'
Swear to God, I can't make this stuff up! That's what makes it fun to read, right? :)
I fought back some 'choice' responses, and quickly took the high road and simply said 'We have goals to meet, and I love to clean cars … seemed like a good fit.'
Silence.
But it got me to thinking. (And with plenty of time to think … I do plenty)
Anyway, what I thought of, were a couple of things.
First, a friend of mine posted as a comment to my status a few weeks ago (I love what I do), that if someone enjoys what they do, they will never 'work' a day of their life. Ah, Danielson, very deep and true statement. After all, why will most people not drive 4 and 1/2 hours to work, be gone up to 18 days a month (that's max), be away from family for 4 days at a stretch, endure physicals every 6 months, take a check rides every 9 months, and have to learn so much to do it? Well, I like what I do. It don't seem like work to me. I find it easy. So I agree with his statement, I will never work a day of my life so long as I enjoy what I do.
Secondly, there is another saying I recalled soon after the statement, and I agree with whole heartily … and that is 'If you want something done, give it to someone that is busy.' Let that one soak in … percolate, process it … and keep that one close to the forefront as I continue.
Going back to the question 'What are you, poor?' … lets look at the statement from another perspective. And that is, the assumption that a person would only take on more responsibility (or any responsibility for that matter) if they were poor.
I just don't see the logic in this, at all. Let me be more specific … usually what I see are people sitting around complaining (and I've been guilty of that too - more to follow below) that are capable of doing so much more - yet do nothing about it. Having been on BOTH sides of this statement, I feel qualified to share both sides of it.
I've noticed myself, with too much spare time, doing unproductive things. Not doing what I should be doing, rather something that is 'not good.' There is a saying about that too … something about 'idle hands …' and it's connected with the Devil. You get the gist.
On the other side, if someone is already 'productive' … they probably are because they know how to be. And once you know how to be, you can easily insert 'one more thing' here and there that most people just 'won't' allow.
But at the end of the day, here's what I know. I love to fly. I love to clean cars. I hate cleaning house windows, and I don't enjoy cleaning a house … but others do.
And the biggest benefits are those that are not measured … which in my eyes are the lessons that are passed onto my kids. My kids know they have two Parents that will make things happen. A Couple that won't take a handout, but would rather earn what others would simply take. It's only an example, and it may not make any of them like me, but they are going to watch the example and hear the benefits of doing what you enjoy vs doing what is easy.
Each and every one of you have a talent, a set of skills that was implanted in you by your Creator (even if you don't believe in Him, you know you have something in you that is unique to you). Using those talents are what most people don't do. Sharing those skills for the good of others, is what we are suppose to do … don't wrinkle your nose to them, don't deny them. Your happiness lies in using those skills and talents.
That's a lot to say to the question that's the title of this post - but that's my Heart.
