Class Reunion

This past week, I attended my high school class reunion.  It was great getting to see old friends and people you have not heard from in many many years.  Thanks to Facebook (many classmates have connected and stay in touch using social media) I was able to spend some quality time with the group.

Class reunions can be difficult for some, tragic for others, and an opportunity to “let yourself go” for others.

Let me explain.

At every class reunion, the old school stories seem to resurface.  Some stories are funny, some are strange. Some are sad.  But then there are the ones that seem to be eternally damaging.  You know, those stories that you wish no one would remember.

At some class reunions, there is a bit of (what I call) posturing.  Some folks show up with the sole intent of elevating themselves and their achievements while devaluating others around them. 

If you need to brag about your success, then you are NOT a success.

At some reunions, class members seem “stuck” in a time warp of nothing’s changed since they scored that winning touchdown in their senior year.

If your purpose is to attend the class reunion so that you can try and recreate days gone by – stay home.  Most people have moved on, and regenerated themselves to keep up with the times.  Don’t go with the intent of dragging people backwards.

At some class reunions, there are people whose purpose is to dredge up that relationship with an old flame.  If that is your purpose – stop for a minute and think – maybe – just maybe – that person has actually found their life’s mate and has lived their life in the present while you remain stuck in the past awaiting “your song” to come on the radio.

Fortunately, I saw nothing but positives at my class reunion.  People were posing for silly pictures at the photo booth.  Classmates were singing to the familiar songs of our time.   Some couples were enjoying the beautiful view from the banquet room windows.  And, of course the pairings and groupings of conversations abounded in the banquet room entrance area.

Over the years, some of the guys have lost some hair, and / or gained a pot belly.  The ladies may have required a bit more make-up, hair coloring and push up bras. 

But, it was a fun night to get together and laugh, chat, and be yourself with people who knew you before you were the new you.

Maybe we are all getting too old to cling to the old caste system that existed in high school.  Maybe we all have come to the realization that we all shared a significant number of years together – know each other’s story – and just wanted to spend some time with people we don’t always get to spend time with.

Class reunions can be a blast.

But the key is to keep moving forward.  Daily work toward a better you.  Don’t cling to the past with a death grip. 

Look at your past like it’s a rear view mirror of a car.  You can see where you’ve been.  You can learn from it.  You can use it as a point of reference.  But, know that you have a wide windshield of opportunities, experiences, adventures and life ahead of you.    

Thanks WMS Class of ’73 for all the memories.

Have a great week

Ron    

To schedule Ron to speak to your business, civic group

or organization, contact him at:

ron@ronorendi.com

717-802-0483