Dory Wisdom Insight #3 “Life is full of surprises, so hang in there!”

I told my husband and daughters I have this thing about older men! Hahaha – Surrrr-Prise!! You should have seen their faces!! I hastily explained I was writing about businessmen who have left a trail for others to follow with their words of guidance and encouragement, both spoken and written. 

Some time ago, I wrote in my blog titled “Benched” about an older man I know who has lived a life full of surprises, some good, some not so good, and others inbetween, who makes it a daily event to enjoy life! Even now after being ill for nearly two months and recently transfered to a transitional care unit with the hope of regaining enough physical ability to go home; he still laughs, make jokes and causes others to smile. That man? My 93 year old dad.

Those older businessmen I was referencing speak and encourage thousands through their books and motivational events. And they too draw from men like themselves. The 76 year old businessman, of world-wide acclaim, John Maxwell has oft quoted Harvey Mackay : “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Can I introduce you to Harvey Mackay? He is an extensively commended, now 93-year-old motivational speaker and author. You may have even used that quote yourself, and if not that’s okay, as Harvey say’s “our lives change in two ways: through the people we meet and the books we read.”

Of the late 79yr old Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author, Harvey said “Jim is one of the most articulate, powerful, thought-provoking speakers I’ve seen. His unique delivery and style puts him head and shoulders above the rest.” And wasn’t it Harvey who said:“Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave. And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.”

About six months ago, I got a surprise. Something I was totally not expecting. I questioned it via a phone call, and was told that what I was seeing was indeed correct and the previous verbal commitment was not in play. With that confirmation, after expressing sincere thankfulness, I started thinking of ways to “surprise” others! Isn’t it funny how things like that work?

But wait, I digress, this is supposed to be about Dory’s quote… “Life is full of surprises ….”

During a conversation with my then eight-year-old grand-daughter – the one I bought the Dory book for – she expressed concerns about some surprsing changes that had happened in her world. Changes she thought were “stupid and needed to end”. I ended up saying, with as much grandma wisdom as I could muster without laughing, “Well, today is the 292nd day of this “stupid” year and we only have 74 days left till it does end; so let’s try to remember what Dory said.” Her response said with a little shoulder shrug and pitiful sigh, “Okay, Nonni.”

It was Jim Rohn who said: “Start from wherever you are and with whatever you have” and “If you don’t like how things are, change it, you’re not a tree.”

Or a fish, for that matter ;-D