His eyes filled with tears as he lay across his bed, his left leg dangling over the edge. Mr. Rhein possessed the mind of a 20-year-old, but it was trapped in his 79-year-old body. He was fed up with his inability to do what came naturally when he was young. Even wearing his favorite warm-up suit – the one with the Penn State insignia blazoned across the front – failed to cheer him. I asked him if Penn State was his alma mater.
"Yes," he said thoughtfully. "I graduated in '38. Those were the good old days, when I could do no wrong. We were the best. I played basketball and baseball. We were champions in everything we did." He looked away and stated quietly, "I played ball my entire life: handball, tennis, basketball. They consumed my time until this arthritis got the best of me. Now I can't do anything without my walker."
Mr. Rhein seemed to sense that he was at the end of his life. Reflection engulfed his thoughts. It seemed appropriate to ask him something that would draw him out. "Mr. Rhein," I queried, "as you think back on your life and the insights you've gained, what do you believe to be the most important thing in life?" Without hesitation he replied, "Family. It's family." Almost as if he were a crusader, he lifted his head and emphasized, "Don't act like a jerk, keep your family. If you lose them, you've lost everything." He dropped his head back and looked away.
During my lunch hour, I found a private place to think. Sitting on a bench in the old surgical theater the hospital now keeps as a museum, I reflected on Mr. Rhein's words. They made me think of Jeremy Taylor, the 17th century theologian who wrote, "The sublimity of wisdom is to do those things living which are desired when dying."
The hard work associated with my job, continuing education, volunteer work, athletic involvement, and general activities of daily living consumed my days. The question to be considered was, "Am I making the wisest use of my time?" At the end of my life, will the time I spent gathering extra income from overtime or the effort placed on maintaining a fastidious home seem as important as playing basketball in the driveway with my son, or reading stories and playing doll house with my daughter? The answer seemed obvious. "Thanks Mr. Rhein," I whispered aloud. "You made my day, and maybe my life."
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the core concepts is essential for growth
- Consistent application of principles leads to transformation
- Small daily actions compound into significant results
- Mindset shifts are the foundation of lasting change
Moving Forward
The journey of personal growth and transformation is ongoing. Each step you take, no matter how small, contributes to your overall development and success. Remember that progress is not always linear, but persistence and commitment to your goals will ultimately lead you to where you want to be.
I encourage you to take action on what resonates with you from this article. Choose one key insight and implement it into your daily routine. Small, consistent changes often lead to the most profound transformations.