Caring ’26

The “18/40/60” rule to happiness:

At age 18, people care very much about what others think of them.

By age 40, they learn not to worry what others think.

By age 60, they figure out that no one was thinking about them in the first place.

Daniel Amen

Well, this quote may sum up my life.  At eighteen, I was working in a bank and was most definitely worried about what people thought of me.  I had moved out of home and relocated to Ballarat, meeting new people at a new branch.  I was quite insecure and truing to find my place in the world.  Whilst I had been in the bank for a year by this stage, everything was new to me.  My first time that I needed to catch public transport, share a house without my family.  Lots of “new” things and people to learn about.

I spent seven years in total in the bank and moved around a little.  After eighteen months/two years in Ballarat, I decided it was time to leave, and I had the opportunity to go to the Northern Territory as they needed staff.  Application in and I arrived within six weeks!  Alice Springs and Katherine were great for my learning, and I ended up with a family as well.

In my forties, I decided university was the place I needed to be.  By then, I had been back in my hometown for ten years and all the kids were at school.  Yes, I was worried about what people thought, as it had been a long time since I was in a learning environment and felt out of my depth initially.  Things got easier when I switched degrees and the work made more sense.  I moved from business to social work.

I am now in my sixtieth year and am learning to be comfortable with who I am and what I do.  It has taken me a long time to get here, and I realise that at times, I am a slow learner.  I have decided whilst work is important, time should be taken off to spend with those who are equally important; my family and friends.  Yes, we all need resources; a home, transport and food.  But we also need our hearts to be full.

Once again, I am taking some time off to enjoy an extended long weekend and that’s okay.  Work will continue when I return.  The slow lane needs to be enjoyed at times.

What does your life look like on reflection?