Outrageous and it's OK!

        Curious kids of any age, frankly, are automatically some of my favorite people.  Oh, how we need to keep the curious button pushed in children and give them permission to stay curious as adults!  Invite their questions.  All of them.

        One of the saddest things I observe in aging friends is that they stop asking questions, curiosity seems to fade.  When one stops being curious, I'm convinced, they are then well on their way to a premature death.  I will not be one of those people for whom couriosity wanes.

        This plaque is one of the best gifts I've been given by my precioius wife.  With just a slight look up to the right from sitting here at my desk, my eyes drift across three pictures of us on some of our favorite hikes here in the Rockies, through a cross holding a lit tea light most days to remind me the Spirit is present, up to an Anglican rosary that reminds me of a landmark moment in my life, and there it is, this plaque.  "Ancora Imparo."

        Carved, originally, by an Irish artist, then cast by hand at the Wild Goose Studios in Kinsdale, County Cork, Ireland, it has become a favored adornment on my office wall.  With the three ounces of Irish in my ancestory, that makes it a bit more special, coming from Ireland.  :-)

        This statement, "Ancora Imparo", is attributed to that great Italian renaissance artist, Michelangelo, when he was 87 years old.  We know he created such masterpieces as the Sistine Chapel and the sculpture of David, and a host of other remarkable works of painting, poetry, sculpture and architecture.

        He could have said, "I've done enough."  But he didn't.

        He kept on creating, with "Ancora Imparo" burning in his soul and calling him forward.  What does "Ancora Imparo" mean?  It means:

I am still learning.

        How I hope that when you and I get to be 87, and beyond, we will both be found saying, "Ancora Imparo."  Stay curious, my friend, even outrageously so, no matter your age.  Then we, too, will enjoy the life we were designed to live no matter how many days we have left to breathe.

Comments

[LetsGrowLeaders]

Wes, I am glad to have met your curious and learning mind. I keep remember what you said, "retirement is not a biblical term ;-)" I look forward to learning more from and with you.

[Chuck Stecker]

Wes, Well Said my friend.Just spoke to about 90 men yesterday and challenged them to get back in the race. It is hard to finish strong if you are no longer in the race. Love your posts Stay in the Race and Finish strong.
In Christ
Chuck