Same old things

"Hi, how have you been"
The man looked up - startled.
"Oh you know, getting by. And you?" he asked out of politeness sake, disappointed at being disturbed from his musings.
"Oh, really well thanks."
The man looked up again and saw the younger man smiling broadly.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen you around for a while."
"No, I've been away, getting lots of new experiences with this company I work for."
"Oh, well that's OK then, you're obviously enjoying it?" The older man thought to himself 'it's all right for some, I've been doing the same job for ever, and no-one offers to send me around the world to get NEW experiences.'
The younger man could tell what the older man was thinking, and said "yes well I proved that I was willing to think outside boxes, squares, triangles and look at everything with a brand new pair of eyes, and it's paid off well for everyone."
"Oh"
"Anyway, I thought, I'd say stop and say hi, but I'll leave you to your day. Doing much today?"
"Oh you know, the same old things. It's Saturday, so I'm just going to sit here for a bit, enjoy a cup of coffee, think about some work I've got to do and then do a bit of shopping I suppose. How about you?"
"Oh well, you know me. Always busy. Nice to see you again."
"Yeah, likewise."

The older man sat for a while and thought about the man who had just left. He remembered him, had only worked for the company for a couple of years before he was off to another job somewhere else. More money. Always thought highly of himself, he thought. No the man corrected - he did know his stuff, but was a cocky little .... But they obviously liked him.

As the younger man wandered out of the coffee shop, he thought sadly about the man he'd left behind. He'd had quite a lot of potential, that was why they'd partnered him with him when he joined the company. But it was obvious the older man resented the younger generation - they were the ones getting the promotions, you could see it in their eyes and the words they used.

"Same old things"
"You know how it is"
"You've obviously done well for yourself"

He knew he'd had a lot to offer the older man, but he'd not been willing to listen, hadn't taken any of the courses and classes offered by the company, and whinged all the time. The younger man turned on his heel - well it might be Saturday, but he had things to do, and they certainly weren't "the same old things".

Kind Regards
Elle

Overcoming the procrastination habit with a daily dose of motivational medicine.

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What I' reading at the moment

Natural Superwoman: The survival guide for women who have too much to do

Rosamond Richardson

So far: Somewhere out there is a balance between home and work, family and friends, space and sociability, exercise and rest, eating and health so that a balance of mind and body, work and fun, masculine and feminine elements, right and left brain function lead to a life which is fully lived

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Comments

[Ziggy]

Speaking as a "busy one" I'd have to say that the busy ones always seem to be the ones that actually get things done over even though the less busy people appear to have more time. While there is considerable joy, peace and acheivement in not being busy, achievements coming from taking courage and giving it a go I reckon!
Smiles always,
Ziggy

[SSilver925]

Hi Elle
Today’s story starts in a familiar way.
In 1969 at 19, I went into the military got technical training, traveled round the world experienced many things. When war was over got out of the military and knocked about for a few years with different jobs always looking for bigger and better.
1980 got a job with a military contractor. Supervised an assembly line for a while, worked testing and design for awhile, then Field Engineer, traveling round the world, hot shot trouble shooter.
Got married a few years after that, still traveling 6 to 8 months of the year. Marriage started having problems. Quit the engineer job and stayed home with the family, started my own business so I could be home every day. Marriage disintegrated anyway.
Got a job with the post office so I could be in one place, easy to find me when needed.
Watched my family move from place to place over the last more than 20 years. I haven’t been called on yet.
My kids are getting into their mid twenties, they don't know me, as their mom kept moving to prevent my visiting.
I am still at the post office, will be till I pass or retire. I’m thinking 70 would be a good time to retire.
Young folk ask me why I don’t use my abilities to move to bigger and better things, more money and such. I explain, some grasp more than others why I stay. But even here there are excitements, activities and best of all relationships.
I stay in one place. I am still easy to find.
I did find a brother just this month that had been gone for 25 years. I have made contact and we are planning visits soon.
I stay in one place. I am still easy to find.
Perhaps I can gather them all in one day.

SSilver925

[sensitivejewel]

I'm 34 years old. I've already gone to college and trained in a career. But, I don't like what I do all that much. After much pondering I have come to the realization that we never have to stop growing. We can keep learning new skills, become exceptionally proficient in new things, no matter what the age. Believing this has set me free to pursue passions otherwise I might have given up, thinking, "It's too late." It is never too late.