Transcription
What if I told you I just spent the last 40 years working out where I'm at now? And all those things that you think are important when you're younger, the perfect body, the big house, the perfect job, don't really matter. What really matters is what's going on inside you. And I'd like to share with you in the next few minutes what I've learned in the last 40 years.
You might ask, where did this come from? Well, two years ago, I had to stop work. I'm medically retired now, and that has given me a lot of time to reflect on my life and where I am today and what is important for me. And I started thinking, where did the time go? What do I, what have I achieved? I've done lots of jobs, from doing snow ski tours to working in bars, to working in offli and waitering, cooking, you name it, teaching art, I've done it. But what has been consistent all through my life has been my artwork, my ability to continue following that dream of mine, not necessarily being financially successful, but doing something that is important to me, that shows who I am as a character and as a human being.
And if I could go back in time and talk to my my 18-year-old self, I would say the most important things in life for you is time and your health. In fact, I think I put my health above time because if you haven't got a healthy life, then that really affects the time and what you can do with that time. And another thing I would suggest is don't drink too much or do drugs because that is going to take time away from you. That is unbelievably destructive, and you're never going to get that back.
And the older you get, the faster time seems to go. I mean, I immigrated here to the Netherlands 26 years ago, and I can't believe how quickly that time has gone. I see my two children growing up, and I wonder what happened to that youth, that time when they were small. I cherish that moment now, and it went so quickly. It was so quick. I mean, before I I shifted here, I spent almost 20 years, 15 years I suppose, bouncing around doing odd jobs. But do I regret doing that? No, I don't regret the time I spent doing that. I mean, I didn't have much money, but that didn't seem to bother me so much then. I honestly didn't think I'd get to this age, but the time I've spent jumping from place to place, moving from city to city, it was a wonderful experience when I looked back. It was hard, it was fun, it was a bit crazy, but would I change that? No, I don't think I would because it has made me the person I am today. And if I look back, I don't think I would want to change anything because it's the experiences I have learned, good and bad, and some very bad, um, even some that almost took my life, but I think I'm a better person today.
And the thing about giving advice to your younger self, who's going to listen to that? You have to go and experience things yourself. You have to make the mistakes yourself, and from that you grow. And I'm very content for who I am inside as a human being. I live a very modest life. I'm still married, have been married for almost 30 years. I mean, that's an achievement in itself. Learning to compromise in relationships, learning to give and be a partner, be together. And we brought up out two wonderful kids. That is an achievement in life, and especially in today's standards where there are so many families been separated. Deep down, we want to be fulfilled. We want to have a sense of purpose. And I think the biggest way really for that to achieve that is spend it with your family.
The older you get, the more you realize that it doesn't matter what other people think. It doesn't matter what you wear. It doesn't matter how you look. If you feel proud within yourself and you have self-respect for yourself, that's what's important. And it's such a relief not having to play that game anymore. You know, my, I'm lucky. I have a drive in me for to paint, to be an artist, and that keeps me going. That even as I am sick today, and I can look forward to doing something. I have a goal in my life. That is my, what, what I want to achieve, and that's what's important. I think we all need to find that purpose. Mine's painting and my family, that's all that matters to me. And as far as I'm concerned, I'm reaching that target. And with my, I don't know how long I will be able to keep on painting, but at the moment, I will, I enjoy it. It gives me purpose because over the last 40 years, I've given my soul, I've given my physical ability, I've worked for other people, and now this time is for me. This time is for really developing who I am.
And this is the first time that I've actually been able to just concentrate on my art and not having worried about paying bills. They're always there, but you know, because we live such a model life, I can just do what I need to do, what I, what is important to me. Has always been inside me, and I've always been doing it, but now I'm allowed to let it out and let it be in the world. And that is such a nice feeling. I feel I'm finally achieving what my purpose on this planet was to be, and that's liberating. That's fantastic.
I think also that, you know, after 40 years, you learn to appreciate the people around you much more. You're willing to give more time for those people that you care about, or even people you that you have just met that need help. And you're not after anything in return. It's not transactional, as some leaders might tell you in the world today. It's about who we are as human beings and the importance of being out to live together. The more we work together, the better this planet is going to be. But it's got to start in at home, and it's got to start in your community, and then it's going to spread. And hopefully, we can do that.
So, how do I sum up 40 years in just a few minutes? Look after yourself. Don't drink too much. Don't do drugs too much. Take care of your health, and you'll have much more time ahead of you. And enjoy that time, and share that time with people you love, because at the end of the day, that's what's most important. And remember, if you really like this, please subscribe and give me a thumbs up, and hopefully, you'll, I'll see you soon.