The Simple Truth - Education and Life’s Classroom

Geoffrey Larmer is a small town civil litigation lawyer who lives on the south shore of Trout Lake in the hamlet of Corbeil with his loving partner, Angela, and their two aloof waterdogs, Juno and Emmett.  He has no expertise in anything of importance.  He enjoys watching human evolution with all its faults and frailties. He loves skim milk  cappuccinos with cinnamon, watching action movies and reading Calvin & Hobbes.

May 16, 2021

The Simple Truth – Education and Life’s Classroom

I grew up on the outskirts of a mid-sized Northern Ontario town, on a lake where you could drink the water and on a street with lots of kids.  Life was reflectively idyllic.  We didn’t have as much as some people but we had more than most.  In my adolescence, my education came from many sources; my parents, my friends, my teachers, my coaches and my classmates.  I leaned a lot from just being left alone, making mistakes and lucky to get through my teens without a serious injury.

I also learned a lot from walking in the woods, paddling a canoe and standing my ground in the schoolyard against a much bigger opponent, as painful as that was.  Life was different back then.  I was fortunate to be part of a generation of kids who were no longer labeled as annoying and yet to be painted as entitled.  It was the time before parenting became a section in your local bookstore.

I struggled in school and in life.  I was never the perfect son, brother, friend, boyfriend, student or employee.  I was loved and supported from a distance and just had to figure stuff out on my own.  I made many bad choices early on.  This gave way to better choices.  My ignorance grew into confidence and I was ready to leave town.

I went on to study biological and physical science at university, earning an honours bachelor of science degree.  I then attended law school, worked in the big city and was eventually called to the bar after writing my professional exams.  I was grateful for the opportunity and experience.  My formal science training taught me to be analytical.  My legal training taught me to problem solve and challenge convention.  I felt invincible for the first time in my life.

I returned to my hometown to practice law.  I became a civil litigator and learned how to win graciously and loose with dignity.  I raised a family and cared for my parents and held them both when they passed from this life.  Some lessons were hard.

I learned to serve and give back to my community.  I was involved in government and charitable organizations; always amazed by the quality of people that dedicate so much to help others.

I then suffered a number of personal losses, became bitter and let my emotions cloud my thinking.  No amount of schooling or experience could help me.  What lesson was life trying to teach me?  I had to learn about living.  Living for myself.

I allowed myself to be vulnerable when things went dark.  I learned to love myself and to be comfortable in my own skin.  I let go of the past, stopped worrying about the future and started to live in the moment.  I discovered the value of listening to my gut.  I began to live my truth.  I found unconditional love.

This week I turned 55.  And I have learned more in the past two years than I have over the previous half-century.

Life is your classroom.  Everyday is your education.

This is the simple truth.

It is never too late to learn who you are.  Do not fear change.  Find your truth and live it.  Stand outside and breathe.  Walk on the grass in your bare feet.  Wake up every morning with a heart full of love and gratitude.

 This young man is now going down to the water to look for those loons that were calling last night.  On the same lake I grew up on.  And yes, you can still drink the water.