In our lives we make a lot of major decisions - I wonder how much thought we put into decisions that impact our entire life.
Here is one example of what I mean. In 1955 I was 17 years old and I graduated from high school that year. I had applied, taken the college entrance exams and been accepted at a state college. I took a summer job and earned enough that it would have paid tuition, books etc for the year and since my aunt lived withing walkng distance I was going to live off campus. All set.
In August of 1955 two hurricanes passed through Northeastern PA and caused a great deal of flooding and damage. There was a lot of damage at the college and also around where I worked. We were unable to get away from the resort I was working at until about September 10th or so and when I got home there was a letter from the college saying that the fall term was canceled.
The next day I was walking along the street in my home town and came to where a buddy who had graduated with me was still working as a grocery delivery boy. We chatted for a few minutes and he said "Smitty lets go down to Scranton tomorrow and joing the Navy" I gave it about 3 maybe 4 seconds of thought and said "Good idea, pick me up at 9:00 o-clock."
He did that and 14 days later I started boot camp. Best decision I made in my life (except deciding to marry my wife - which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gone into the Navy).
I went in the Navy, got training in electronics which led to me getting a job with IBM where I worked for 32 years and they still send me a check every month. All on almost no thought at all.
Here is one example of what I mean. In 1955 I was 17 years old and I graduated from high school that year. I had applied, taken the college entrance exams and been accepted at a state college. I took a summer job and earned enough that it would have paid tuition, books etc for the year and since my aunt lived withing walkng distance I was going to live off campus. All set.
In August of 1955 two hurricanes passed through Northeastern PA and caused a great deal of flooding and damage. There was a lot of damage at the college and also around where I worked. We were unable to get away from the resort I was working at until about September 10th or so and when I got home there was a letter from the college saying that the fall term was canceled.
The next day I was walking along the street in my home town and came to where a buddy who had graduated with me was still working as a grocery delivery boy. We chatted for a few minutes and he said "Smitty lets go down to Scranton tomorrow and joing the Navy" I gave it about 3 maybe 4 seconds of thought and said "Good idea, pick me up at 9:00 o-clock."
He did that and 14 days later I started boot camp. Best decision I made in my life (except deciding to marry my wife - which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gone into the Navy).
I went in the Navy, got training in electronics which led to me getting a job with IBM where I worked for 32 years and they still send me a check every month. All on almost no thought at all.
