Insight: This time of year reminds us to fall forward by Lorraine Glowczak

Although it’s not official until September 22 at 4:02 p.m. Eastern Standard Time; it is officially fall in our minds.

Going back to school marks the season of autumn for a majority of us. All those fun, free spirited and warm summer day activities and adventures are behind us now as we buckle down to those important activities associated with school events. 

Of course, the most important event that occurs at school is learning new things and becoming more aware of the world around us; to make ourselves better contributing members of society.

As an adult, once the coursework of traditional education is behind us, learning does not stop. Well, I suppose it can, but if you want to continue to live life fully, education cannot cease.

I remember distinctly on my 25^th birthday, having a quote that ironically landed in my lap. It was a quote by Benjamin Franklin. It stated: “Many people die at the age 25 and aren’t buried until they are 75.” 

I promised myself, at that tender age of 25, that I would keep my soul alive fully – until I took my last breath and my physical body expired.

I have discovered over the years that the promise I made to myself was easier said than done.

Why? Because learning requires one to step out of their comfort zone, to be innovative, accept ambiguity, work harder than we want to; and it makes us have to reinvent ourselves constantly. That is not an easy task and, in the beginning – it definitely is not fun.

It’s true that we prefer cozy lives, lived in pure relaxation, luxury and ease. But if there is not a challenge involved in our lives and we are not learning something new – Ol’ Ben was right, we begin to deteriorate. We may be alive by biological standards, but we are lifeless and boring. Not only to ourselves but to those who matter most to us and to the community at large.

So if you can, in whatever possible way, choose to make this time of year an opportunity to fall forward. Forward in learning, growing and contributing to the world in whatever way you deem fit. 

The humanity that surrounds you will appreciate it. And I promise you that you will benefit the most because you will feel alive, despite the hardships involved. As the saying goes (and I paraphrase), “skid into your grave with scrapes and bruises and as you do, exclaim ‘holy heck – what a ride!’”