Builder or Planter?

“An anonymous text says that each person, during his or her life, can adopt one of two attitudes: building or planting. Builders can take years to finish their tasks but one day they do finish and then they are hemmed in by their own walls. Life loses its meaning once the building is over. Those who plant may suffer storms and can rarely rest, but the garden never ceases to grow, and although it requires the constant attention of the gardener, it also allows life to be a great adventure. In the history of each plant is the growth of the whole earth.” - Paulo Coelho

This quote is from Paulo Coelho’s website. He is one of my favorite authors. His books always challenge me to think and more specifically, think about my self and my life.

So, are you a builder or a planter?

At times, I think I am a bit of both. I am a very list driven person and I am always working towards retirement. I plan, worry, and wait for retirement, because that is when I will get to do what I want with my life. This idea became prominent once I got married. Is this because I now have a reason to retire? Is it because my life now is structured, and less like a planter than in pre-marriage? Is it because I feel in prevented from living my life the way I want due to my new responsibilities and life? It is a complicated question, with a complicated answer that cannot be answered in one day or post. I think my life now is definitely more builder-like, as well as more secure, blessed, loving, mature, and less lonely.

However, there is a planter side to me. Although, I feel it has been muffled and set aside on shelf until a more appropriate time. I used to be a planter with zeal. Do not like my job, sharp right turn, I backpacked through Europe for 4 months, and then was a nanny on Nantucket. Another time, I went to live in Mexico for a couple of months to learn Spanish. Still, another time, I went back to school for the 3rd time. I used to take many more risks or let us try that because it sounds neat. Albeit, these risks I took were always very calculated and assessed thoroughly. I always had a way to parlay these adventures into a new situation that left me on two feet sitting pretty.

When I read above, I think I was really a planter, with builder tendencies and now have turned into a full-on builder, but still have the desires of a planter. Therefore, I am a “builpla”.

Namaste