Dear Chilliwops,
One of the greatest playwrights of all time, George Bernard Shaw, once wrote, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
He was absolutely right. Every available minute of every day – and there are lots to take advantage of – should be used to maximize your experiences. The creation of a well-rounded person means using the 10,080 minutes in a week (minus sleeping time, eating time and all other essential down-time) to the maximum.
The type of person you become through your adult life is to a large extent shaped by experiences in your youth. There are, of course, experiences and moments throughout your youth over which you have no control and many of those will have a lasting impact too. But you need to look for the positives (I refer to the glass half full principle again – I cannot reinforce that enough) and take advantage of those moments.
Obviously your education at all levels creates special opportunities and it is entirely up to you to grasp those opportunities. Nobody else can do it for you. There is an old Chinese proverb that summarises my message: “Teachers open the door but you must enter by yourself.” I have already written to you about your education so I won’t dwell on that now.
Now you may say, “Pop, get with the times”, but the purpose of this letter is to explain what I perceive to be a negative in the use of modern technology. I use technology extensively – my letters are conveyed via email and I read international and other media outlets on the internet on a daily basis – but I worry about young people spending way too much time caught up in computer games and the like and not spending time in the real world.
By this I mean getting outdoors; participating in sports; visiting and communicating with friends and relatives in person, not via emails, text messages and the like; bush-walking or simply enjoying our natural environment; and generally appreciating the outdoors. By the way, in referring to ‘sports’ I include ballet, athletics, walking, and any other individual physical activity, not just ball and other team games.
To me, participating has a very broad meaning. It doesn’t mean you have to be an outstanding athlete or skilled performer in dance, acting or any other activity. It also means simply enjoying the experience; even watching others perform.
Importantly, do not spend your free minutes tied down with tablet/computer games. Fortunately I am aware that for at least some of you access to technology is limited to study or homework purposes on school days but when you are not studying ask yourself this question, “Do I really benefit from using the technology for non-educational purposes when I could be doing something more physical?” I know what the honest answer is.
You don’t have to be a star at what you do, just do. Ricky Williams was a retired champion American National Football League player who had success at his sport in the USA and Canada. He poignantly once said, “There’s more to life than success, and if you can try to be more well-rounded, you’ll be able to enjoy your success more. It won’t own you or control you.”
Famous personalities like Ricky William, Ricky Ponting, Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Daniel Ricciardo and others know how to get the best out of themselves and make the most of their opportunities. They know to achieve the most in life including success one has to be well rounded.
To be well rounded one needs to make an effort. Create yourself more fully. Get outdoors; participate at whatever is available in your community; grasp the opportunity to play sport, dance, run, watch (but watch outdoors); embrace the beauty of your environment.
Life is a reality to experience and enjoy to the fullest. Create.
Love always,
Your popple
*Anton Clever is well into his seventh decade … a former teacher, soldier, farm hand, lawyer and businessman (not in that order). He has travelled extensively for business and for international clients. More recently he has started writing … currently a thriller (which will probably not be worthy of publication, he says) and has written but not published a series of “postcards” from various places (specifically, Victoria, Papua New Guinea, France, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iran) referring to experiences in those places. He has also written for several magazines on unusual subjects but matters worthy of debate.
