A while back a friend wrote to tell me about her son. He quit college because he had a fantastic idea for an on-line company. It was initially successful and he was on top of the world. But then the economy fizzled and he (in his mom's words) just didn't have what it took to stick with it through a down time. For the past year he's done nothing.
It's a sad but familiar story.
But this month's AARP Bulletin, instead of listing the oldies and their birthdays, listed folks who made it to the top at least 50 years ago - and have stayed there. But, of course, not without some hills and valleys along the way. As far as I can see, a couple of the most obvious reasons for this are the ability to grow from the bad times as well as the good, and a concept of life-long learning. Here are a few examples:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 79 - Jurist
On the job since 1959. Her first big job was being the second female faculty member at Rutgers University Law School. But I remember reading that, right after she graduated from law school, she couldn't get any kind of job because she couldn't type or take shorthand.
Queen Elizabeth II, 86 - Monarch
On the job since 1952. She proved her ability to grow and change (not to mention her sense of humor) by jumping out of that helicopter at the Olympics.
Warren Buffett, 82 - Businessman
On the job since 1943. He started at age 13, selling his own horse racing tip sheet. He plans to leave his 44 billion dollars to charity - and has encouraged many other wealthy folks to do the same.
The Rolling Stones - Rock Legends
On the job since 1962. We all know that they've had some personal issues but, despite it, they've stuck with the plan to become and then remain "the world's greatest rock band."
Jimmy Carter, 88
On the job since 1948. Jimmy Carter has been a farmer, Navel officer, President of the United States, Nobel Prize winner, carpenter, humanitarian. We all know that President Carter has had his ups and downs. But through it all he's retained his faith and values.
***
It's a sad but familiar story.
But this month's AARP Bulletin, instead of listing the oldies and their birthdays, listed folks who made it to the top at least 50 years ago - and have stayed there. But, of course, not without some hills and valleys along the way. As far as I can see, a couple of the most obvious reasons for this are the ability to grow from the bad times as well as the good, and a concept of life-long learning. Here are a few examples:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 79 - Jurist
On the job since 1959. Her first big job was being the second female faculty member at Rutgers University Law School. But I remember reading that, right after she graduated from law school, she couldn't get any kind of job because she couldn't type or take shorthand.
Queen Elizabeth II, 86 - Monarch
On the job since 1952. She proved her ability to grow and change (not to mention her sense of humor) by jumping out of that helicopter at the Olympics. Warren Buffett, 82 - Businessman
On the job since 1943. He started at age 13, selling his own horse racing tip sheet. He plans to leave his 44 billion dollars to charity - and has encouraged many other wealthy folks to do the same.
On the job since 1962. We all know that they've had some personal issues but, despite it, they've stuck with the plan to become and then remain "the world's greatest rock band."
Jimmy Carter, 88
On the job since 1948. Jimmy Carter has been a farmer, Navel officer, President of the United States, Nobel Prize winner, carpenter, humanitarian. We all know that President Carter has had his ups and downs. But through it all he's retained his faith and values. ***
