The unexamined life is not worth living
I believe God continually shows me the value of my life by the people He allows me to cross paths with. One of the grandest paths I have traveled is with my mentor, Dr. W.B. (Bill) Jones Jr. Always an adventure in learning with each spoken word. Bill has a heart as big as Texas.
I liken it to some other mentor pupil relationships.
- Elijah mentor to Elisha
- Saul mentor to David
- Socrates mentor to Plato
- Aristotle mentor to Alexander the Great
Dr. Jones is as fine as the mentors mentioned (but I have a long way to go to approach the pupils). One of the attributes of Bill is that he continues to actively learn. Bill is an example of the principle of receive, retain, release. This principle/cycle is in all life. Think through something as simple as eating. Receive, retain, release: break any part of the cycle and you have trouble.
Bill has received an astonishing amount of knowledge and wisdom. He retains (and uses) it wonderfully and brings it full circle by lovingly releasing what he knows in word and deed.
Delivering a prepared speech at Toastmasters one evening I opened with the question, “Who has seen the movie Apollo 13?” Everyone nodded in acknowledgment except Bill. I had to stop and ask him about this and he answered, “I was there.” See what I mean?
Socrates had it right when he stated “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I am truly blessed as I exam my life.