Energy and Passions at 70

“Without passion, you don’t have energy. Without energy, you have nothing.” - Warren Buffet

Got enough energy to mow your lawn?

I didn’t expect to find a quote from Warren Buffet that applied to the type of energy I was thinking about. I’m struggling with the yard, keeping it up to scratch. Mowing the lawns I have always enjoyed, especially when you see the finished product. It never occurred to me, that a time would come, that I would groan at thought of mowing a lawn. Yet here we are. This yard is big compared to what I had to deal with in the past. Up until about October last year, the yard was manageable, I still enjoyed the work. Gradually I started to struggle with it. Finally, it got to a point where I admitted to myself, I need help. My partner is a remarkably busy lady, every single day there is much for her to do. We agreed we will manage the yard together.

No Passion, No Energy

We first moved into this property about 9 years ago. My partner is a keen gardener, she had a passion for it. Keep in mind that word ‘had.’ The property was neglected, we with the help of family knocked it into shape over the next few weeks. When it was cleaned up, the yard looked empty, so our keen gardener set about planting fruit trees and shrubbery everywhere. As you can imagine, 9 years later every planting she made is much taller and bigger. The yard looks like it was when we first moved in. Fruit not been picked, fall and rot. Shrubs overgrown. Leaves scattered everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, every two or three weeks the lawns are mowed, and when I’m allowed to by the keen gardener, I cut back over-growth. 

There once was a small rose plant by the back fence. I wanted to mow right over it, but the keen gardener thought she knew best, she refused to let me mow it. Nine years later that tiny rose grew to be a great, big thorn in my life. How many tiny little roses grew to be big thorns in your life? Lol.

When I hit 70 last year, it seemed overnight I felt changes in my body. I felt twinges here and there, with one that persists to this day. I tire sooner than I used, after a round of golf, I need most of the next day to recover. On rare occasions, I can still mow the lawn, and deal with the yard when I get home from golf.

The gardener seems to have become less keen over the years. She like me has lost some passion for activities that once brought us immense joy. Gardens are not tended to as they once were. Lawns are still mowed, but reluctantly. I finally got rid of the overgrown thorn, chopping it into small pieces with glee. One job I really enjoyed.

Warren Buffet

Mr Buffet is a smart man, as his passion for investing in undervalued companies and holding long term for companies he believes in. Amazing, at 94 Warren Buffet proves himself right, his passion keeps him full of energy and his mind sharp.

My partner and I have also proved him right. Albeit showing reduced passion for gardening and mowing lawns reduces our energy to get these jobs done. We have other passions helping us remain active in body and mind. She refreshes old garments and small furniture; she has real skills in what she does. I, do what I am doing now, blogging, it’s fun. We both have more than enough energy to fulfil our passions.