It was an ordinary day. Reading another article written by another of my favorite columnists, Robert Olsen. Robert writes a weekly story for his column known as "Senior Life." I have written about him before, but found his story this week to be so interesting I just had to share it with you. He writes about story telling and passing the stories along from generation to generation, sometimes becoming a form of entertainment in the process. I have written a few stories on my blog that over time get retold and retold and suddenly change from what my original story was to something totally different or may become a form of entertainment which at the first telling wasn't meant to be that way. He begins with telling about his last name of Olsen and how, during the 17th century in the country of Norway, his name meant the oldest son in the family. Back then, your name was your logo or identity marker. Your name was also a story of your life. Today names are still considered important and parents go to great lengths to pick a name for their child. Carol and I went to great lengths when we named our three children Derek, Brynn and Paul (Thadeus). Derek received his name since it was a great ice hockey player we admired and hoped one day he would be a great athlete. Our daughter Brynn's name was found while watching a television show. We gave it to her in hopes she would be as unique as her name would become. Our youngest son, "Tad" was named after Thaddeus Stevens, one of Lancaster's most famous historical figures. If you are a parent, have you too taken time to pick a name that will have meaning for your child when they become an adult? The Public Broadcasting System has a series called "Finding Your Roots" and the program "Ancestry" which both have become popular due to telling about names that have meaning. Robert Olsen writes in his column that he takes pride in telling others that his parents were married using President Coolidge's car, his uncle David Olson created and designed the Les Paul guitar, his father was one of the doctors that took care of Milton Hershey in his later life and his oldest daughter, Dee, worked in the West Wing of the White House under President Reagan. He is glad to have his family member's names remembered as being part of a family that was rich in their presence and connected to others who made a big difference in the lives of others. Then there are others who shy away from picking names that will connect their children with someone or something that will bring attention to them because that may look boastful. Mr. Olsen, in his column, also encourages everyone who reads his latest column, to keep a journal where you prepare a written document of the major events in your life and the persons to whom you have been connected. What you write should answer (1) Who a I? (my ID), Why am I? (my purpose in living), What do I do with the time of my life? (the application of my purpose) and How do I do it? (My structure to develop and apply a life of intention and quality). Look at what you have written. Are you proud about what you wrote? Are you happy about what you wrote? Are you depleted or enriched by what you wrote? He suggests you keep a journal which monitors your life's dreams which can help you prepare for "living well" during the rest of your life. For those that are old, as myself, it can help us cross the finish line with a smile on our face and love in our heart. Thank you Mr. Olson for your insight into my life. I always seem to have a smile on my face and a laugh waiting to come out when I meet someone whether for the first time or the umpteenth time in my life. Life is too short to face it with a frown and fear or anger in your heart. Try to always remember that! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment