He’s 55 years old and has been having a hard time finding a job for a while. In a time when employers are having a hard time finding people, he is having a hard time finding an opportunity. In a recent conversation he said he is considering going to college to re-tool. He has expanded his options, and in his list is a lesson for all of us.

He is willing to look at a variety of options that will help him pay the rent, ranging from bowler to photographer, lawyer to judge, volleyball player to piano player…and more. The point is, he wants to work, though he doesn’t understand all that is required in terms of knowledge, experience, and other requirements for his menu of possibilities. He is an adult with intellectual/developmental disabilities who has held a variety of jobs throughout his life. He is a client at the organization that I fundraise for, New Danville.

The lesson is three-fold:  stay hungry, expand your options, and never surrender your aspirations.

Some of his ideas might seem crazy, but they fuel him to continue the search; some of his ideas might seem impossible, but they give him focus and dreams. He aspires. We would all do well to aspire and then adjust our plans as we move forward. My goal time for the 800 meters when I was in high school was 1:57. At my current age, I would need to run it in 2:30 to be at an equal performance level. Age is just one of many limitations that I would face if I were to tackle my beloved race again. Aspirations make the most of what we have and minimize the effects of limitations, making the quest more rewarding than the outcome.

Goals are steps that form the ladder of aspiration. Look expansively at the options available to you, even if some seem far-fetched. Never surrender on your quests of choice.