We, in the West, have a great
fascination with Confucius, which in Mandarin means Master Kong.
Confucius lived in China 2500 years ago and attempted to help his fellow
Chinese to live in harmony with each other and the world. An example of
this is a story that I have mentioned many times. A disciple asked
Confucius,"有一言而可以終身行之者乎？子曰：
其恕乎！己所不欲、勿施於人,"
which means "Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout
life?" Confucius responded, "How about reciprocity! Never impose on others what you
would not choose for yourself." I do not know whether Master Kong's
follower adhered to that truth or not. However, most of us haven't.
Confucius having a conversation with
his followers
At 73 years of age and having
danced with death a couple of times, one of the conversations of Master Kong, I
truly understand. "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another
day in your life." Aside from loving and caring for my children and
grandchildren, what I enjoy doing in life is threefold: travelling, writing, and teaching. Society Security
issued me a Medicare card a half dozen years ago and a monthly Social Security
check. However, retirement isn't a real option for me. If I retired
from teaching, which provides additional income, what would I do as a
retiree? I'd love and care for my children and grandchildren. I
would continue travelling, writing, and teaching. Duh. Jack and
Owen, are preschoolers and are two of my best students. They can identify
dozens of famous paintings from around the world along with fossils from their
collection from a time long gone by.
One of my goals in life is to
outlive George Burns who was born on January 20, which is the same day that I
was born. He lived to March 9th of his 100th year, which means that I
have 27 years and 49 days to reach my long held goal. In addition, I plan
to do a show at the Palladium in London on January 20, 2043, which was one of
George Burns' dreams on his 100th. I still have that dream.
Thanks to Confucius, I look
forward every morning to doing what I enjoy doing. One other thing that I
do but with mixed feelings. That is working out for 45 minutes every day
and doing 600 crunches. However, that work
will allow me not to work. You and I need to remember what
Master Kong said 2500 years ago, "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work
another day in your life."
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Owen's Christmas Gifts
From Around the World
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Jack's Christmas Gifts
From Around the World
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