People often say to us, “Wow, you’re lucky! You have everything you wished for.” We politely respond with a ‘thank you’…but what we really want to say is that both ‘luck’ and ‘wishes’ had nothing to do with it.
With (US) Thanksgiving only a few days away, we do believe that this is a good time to reflect. We reflected upon our successes and the good fortune that we experience in our personal and professional lives.
While many around us imply that much of what we have is something beyond our control what is left out is the disappointment, anger, frustration and most relevant, the learning, to achieve these successes.
We are not religious and don’t have any faith in “fate”. We strongly believe that we shape our destiny and recognize how the decisions we make today will impact our future directions…. that is what we like to believe.
If you’ve been living life in a straight line, then you haven’t been living!
In reality, life is never about leaving from point A and traveling in a straight line to point B. Life is never a straight line; it is full of twists and turns. If you’ve been living life in a straight line then you haven’t been living. More often than not, your life’s journey will take you through a variety of “letters” before you ever get to point B. Fortunately, we realized early to embrace, evaluate and adapt to these twists and turns leading us to happy, productive and successful lives. Embrace that life is never a straight line but is a winding one with opportunities to learn and discover new things.
Sonny & Cher sang about how “love won’t pay the rent”…replace this baby-boomer idealism by singing about how “Without learning our lives will feel spent”
Being professionally immersed in the work of “learning” our goal is ensuring that others around us learn and apply new knowledge. But regretfully, many of us often neglect continually learning within our own lives. When we combine these insightful realizations with our reluctant acceptance of not always being able to control our destinies, we discover one certainty…that is to “learn” from the decisions we make and to incorporate “learning” in every aspect of our lives.
Learning is one thing that we never take for granted. In the 1960’s Sonny and Cher sang about how “their love won’t pay the rent” but times have significantly changed. In the 21st century it is time to replace this baby-boomer idealism and start singing about “how without learning our lives will feel spent”.
We do have much to be thankful for in our professional lives. But more importantly, we are thankful for the various learning opportunities (whatever the outcome) within our personal lives. We are especially thankful for having the conscious realization to learn from our personal choices that allow us to lead more fulfilling lives, whatever life throws at us.
The long and winding road that leads to your door…don’t keep me waiting here…lead me to your door…”
How about you? How has learning impacted your lives? It is Thanksgiving (US) and we welcome hearing about your professional and life learning experiences.
While reflecting on your learning journey, think about the Beatles song lyrics, ‘The long and winding road that leads to your door…don’t keep me waiting here…lead me to your door”. Lead us to your ‘learning door’…share with us the ‘letters’ you passed through before getting to ‘point B’.
On this Thanksgiving, thank you for reading (following) our blog post.
Ajay M. Pangarkar CTDP, CPA, CMA
Workforce Revolution 
Well written Ajay. I have a strong belief in one controlling their own destiny. Fate is the outcome of the decisions that we have made along the long and winding road. We are the decision makers so ipso facto we control the outcome of our “fate”. There are always things that get in the way, either embrace the rough terrain or not, move forward, or not. Oddly, I do believe in Karma. Paying it forward for all the kind acts that have be sent my way is my way of thanking the universe. How very bohemian of me – but I feel strongly about spreading positive actions. 2014 has seen a great deal of change, but it’s all about our mindset and willingness to open the mind and accept that things do happen – not necessarilly “happen for a reason” but just happen – we create the opportunity to impact the outcome. For this, I’m extremely grateful for my ever supporting, ever patient network. They constantly push me, make me think and help me learn. My extended family, and one more thing to be thankful for.
Great, deep thoughts Shannon. I, like you, believe I control my destiny completely. That said, I also accept that many there are many factors around me I can’t control.
But when I reflect on my life to date, I would have never guessed that I would be where I am today. I know my current reality is based on the compilation of all my past decisions but at the same time I would not have planned it this way…not that where I am is a bad thing just not what I envisioned.
Like you, and I guess hidden somewhere in my Indian heritage, I believe in Karma and what you put into the world could eventually bite you in the a**. I also am a big believer in paying it forward…this is the only way “we” have the power to change the world.
Thank you for your insightful reply Shannon and wishing you and your family warmest wishes for the holidays!