Two Most Important Days Of Your Life

Recently I watched a T.V interview with Lou Holtz, legandary football coach at Notre Dame and many other Universities by Joe Buck. It was a truly inspiring show for me. Lou Holtz said many thought provoking things but the one that stuck in my mind was when he talked about the two most important days in your life. He suggested that the first day was the day you were born and the second was the day you discovered “Why you were born”. What a profound thought. Have you discovered the answer to that question yet? If so, what have you done about it?

I was born on July 5th, 1929, a couple of months before the start of The Great Depression. It wasn’t me. I’m not guilty. I might say that on February 13th, 1961 I bought a ream of paper, a used Underwood typewriter and had a printer make me cards that read, “Art Fettig Freelance Writer.” I kept my day job as a claim agent for Grand Trunk Railroad until I retired from the railroad with 35 years service in 1983. When I had those cards about Freelance Writer made it was my committment to creativity and to the use of my suspected talents. From early 1961 to today I have been writing and in 1970 I had my local printer make me cards that said, “Author” and then later, “Professional Speaker” then, “Motivational Humorist”, “Author of children’s books on positive living”, “Committment catalyst in the field of employee safety.” Along the way there were probably a dozen more cards as I experimented with my talents, seeking the answer to that challenging question. In 1961 the railroad provided me with cards that read, “Claim Agent”, then “Employee Communicatons Officer” and finally “Corporate Communications Officer.”

Why was I born? I still ask that question about once a year and then I ask, “At my age how might I still use my talents?” Just today I booked a presentation at an Assisted Living Center. I am still using my talents for writing and for making presentations. I feel so blessed that I am still able to deliver. Now, why were you born?