Lifetime of Wisdom
The early evening was upon us and it was Monday. That meant being able to get together with my friend James Griffin, during the weekly gathering of our service-organization. My sighting of James from across the room was magnetic, causing me to weave around tables, chairs and people to reach him. Once we were face-to-face, our conversation seemed to naturally advance to “centenarian-learning” and his cherished memory of one client in particular.
One of James’ over one-hundred years of age client, a woman with crisp mental abilities, grabbed him by the elbow as he walked with her out of his office.
She pulled him in closely and asked, "Are you happy with your life?"
The question caught James off guard just a little, even though he was used to having astute conversations with this long-time client.
“Yes. As much as I can be,” James responded.
“Then, that’s the only thing you can ask of life,” she responded with a twinkle in her eye.
While relating this experience to me James had an out-of-time, far-off look radiating from his eyes as he said, “Whenever we would get together I made sure I had my notebook and it always seemed as if I could hardly transcribe her advice quickly enough.”
There was a slight pause in our conversation as James mentally rehearsed additional centenarian-friend wisdom he felt to share.
“Make sure you continually make new friends,” she had advised before going into greater depth. “As you age, you’ll find that some of your friends will pass away. Others will move away. Some will simply fade away as a result of life changes; divorce, other interests, job changes. Things are always in motion for everyone.”
James has made a home for her shared wisdom. It fills his heart with warmth as he recalls his interactions with her. I could feel that warmth radiating from him as he recounted more of what she passed on to him.
James’ centenarian-friend never spoke with him about achieving his every dream, accumulating vast wealth, or experiencing constant euphoria. She spoke of finding peace, joy and contentment through love-based personal relationships. She always spoke of the benefit of accepting personal imperfection, celebrating all small victories, and recognizing that true happiness isn’t a destination. It is a state of being, cultivated daily through friendship.
“Are you happy with your life?” I asked myself, as my friend James and I turned our attention to the now starting service club meeting.
“Yes,” I thought, while savoring the words of James’ wise, twinkling-eyed centenarian friend.
“Then, that’s the only thing you can ask of life.”
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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.
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