The Essence of Life.

I am lucky enough to have a friend Art who is 98 years old and has more energy than people half is age. Art is one of those people who can inspire you in so many ways. He still exercises each morning, stretching and lifting light weights,  he is well-informed on the social issues of the day and never afraid of a good debate, he loves to laugh and joke, loves good food and as he likes to say……”and a nip of Jack (one drink) each night to maintain my good health.”

Art sold his insurance business in his early sixties and did quite well financially. The large national company who purchased his business ran it into the ground and Art bought it back for a steal at age 79 and with many of his old team back in place they grew the business beyond their wildest dreams. Art has been very generous with significant financial contributions to Children’s Hospital and OSU School of Business, The James as well as many other institutions.

What stands out more than all of these accomplishments, money, contributions and power is the priority, the importance that Art places on his relationships with others.  When you are with Art you have his full attention, he’s curious about what you have to say and always has a question or a comment about your discussion…….he cares, he’s interested and he shows it! Art is a great story-teller and as you can imagine at age 98 he has seen a total transformation of our city, state and country and his stories are incredibly interesting. The one factor that seems to stand out in each of these stories are the friends that he has made a long the way and how he could not have made it if it were not for their support, help and encouragement.

Art is the kind of friend who transforms your life, he uplifts you, encourages you and can give you perspective when that mountain seems to tall to climb…….Art has lived almost 100 years……now that is perspective!

I love the line from our play book “The 12 Essentials of Personal Excellence” Essential #12 Building Interdependent Relationships, “The quality of our relationships is a great determiner of the quality of our life.” Art understands that at the end of the day it’s your family and friends who will be there to support you, love you and sustain you…….Relationships are the Essence of Life.

What kind of friend are you?

Who’s life are you transforming?

What’s the determining factor in the quality of your life?