In 1985, The Breakfast Club premiered in theaters. If you have never seen it, this popular film is set in the most boring place you could think: weekend detention in a school library. Five completely different kids are stuck there for a variety of reasons we won’t go into here. The unlikely group consists of a jock, a rich girl, an outcast, a nerd, and a traditional bad kid. Though being set in a seemingly bizarre location, the film strikes a chord with young people back then and now at how accurately it portrays the struggles of youth and high school. Having many memorable quotes, one in particular sticks out from the strange outcast, Allison Reynolds: “When you grow up, your heart dies.”
It does seem that adulthood and the onslaught of responsibilities can kill some of the joy and amazement of our childhood. For instance, a year that seemed like an eternity turns into a flicker of time the older you get. Simply not stopping to enjoy the fleeting seconds makes us wonder where all the time goes. We can see what Allison meant by one’s heart dying; you simply loose out on the splendor of it all. Some might say this is the way things have to be when you get older, but is that truly the way to live? Are we just destined to suddenly jump on the speeding treadmill of boredom and work until we die without being able to see the wonder of life ever again? Doesn’t sound like much of an existence at all.
Though we criticize 20-somethings who want to party and take on little to no responsibilities, can we really blame them? Who would want the mundane experience of working till the grave? Having seen their parents and older siblings become something unrecognizable, they want to run in the opposite direction. This is not to say that responsibilities and work are bad. Rather, we are so quick to accept the mold society shoves us in, we don’t seek out new opportunities or question reality. In fact, you probably know people who do work and have responsibilities, but somehow live outside the system and can soak up every second of their lives. How do we get to such a place?
One very powerful way to reach this level is through curiosity. Can you remember how excited you were to go to your first day of school? Kindergarten seemed like a dream land where knowledge becomes available in exciting and fun ways. However, through the years the joy of exploration and encouragement to try new things gives way to dogma and rigid practices. Unfortunately, we get the curiosity forced out of us in the later years of high school and “higher” education. However, some rebel and refuse to be placed in line with all the other little robots. You probably grew up with these people or are one yourself. They often got in trouble at school or where always trying new things. Though different from the rest, they seemed happy. They probably didn’t go to college, but they did start a business. Often, they end up more successful than their fellow classmates.
At Consolidated Assurance, we want those individuals who are willing to seek risk and curiosity for more freedom. Our agents work as little or as much as they want, as long as they produce the baseline results we require, the rest of their success is limited only to their individual work ethic. This type of career path and lifestyle is rare, for most. Whether or not you're one of our agents, a key aspect to experiencing a lifestyle such as this, is to never stop practicing or learning. In fact, you can never be placed into the mold of boredom if you are constantly sharpening your skill and expanding your mind. However, you will be met will challenges. Society does not take kindly to individuals who venture to be uncommon. Some are malicious about it, while others think they are helping. The true freedom to succeed presents the inevitability that you'll make a few enemies along the way.
Though we are displaced from our childhood by time, we can get back to wonderment by simply seeking the unknown. Turn off the TV and learn something you always wanted to know about, that will actually move you forward. If you are unhappy in your current position or if they want you to be a good soldier, find a way to break out. Refuse mediocrity. Better yet, join our team: www.consolidatedassurance.com
