My story is about being alone. I have learned that what motivates me is not the end result but the process of trying to achieve a goal. In my younger years I thrived on studying. Once I was in the world of work, I mistakenly thought results were all that mattered. Now that I have been given the luxury of time, I have learned, at least for me, that achievement is better stated when couched in the language of doing, studying and learning.
My story is about being connected. First and foremost I fully and completely know that my best friend is my wife. She is “the wind beneath my wings.” I also now understand and appreciate that one’s world is essentially a network of friends, those whom I have known for seventy years and those for whom I have gained deep admiration and developed emotional connection with in just the past several months. This is a result of having communication be both instant and somewhat insulating given the method predominantly consists of emails and texts. I have learned that being in touch with, communicating with and “listening” to friends has given me a gift of not only of appreciating my friends’ for their insights, intelligence and warmth, but also their responses to me has given me, better insights into my own motivations and attitudes. For this I am forever grateful.
