Reflection #36 Offering What I Can
The Gap Year: Reflection #36 Offering What I Can
“May the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.” –Clare of Assisi
Retirement is not like buying a garment in Macy’s or Marshalls that is “one size fits all”. Some of my friends have launched a second career. Their past skills are being tested, stretched, and shaped into new forms. Writing a new chapter is both inspirational and challenging.
Some volunteer in their communities. Still others have become social and political activists. Part of my hours are dedicated to being present to my sons, their wives, and grandchildren. Each path is good. Perhaps you don’t know what kind of life work you should be doing in the world. If you think everyone else has it figured out, they don’t.
My future work is in being myself, and offering what I can to others. Perhaps your earlier work/vocational path, like mine, was motivated by greater causes. And perhaps, like me, it’s be hard to release past work and be open to a new purpose. Especially if that purpose doesn’t seem as noble or grand. It can feel like we are giving up on our ideals.
Because of my past experiences, I am uniquely suited for community work. I’ve accumulated skills for decades and have many things I know how to do. I know what the challenges are and how to work systems for the greater good. I have contacts and connections to resources. I have some wisdom from my years and knowledge of how the world works. With the commitment to do something, I have the agency. Presently, I’m working with a natural burial park to facilitate a Remembrance Service. After retirement I prepared to tutor; teaching children to read and write. Through the community food bank, I fed the hungry. I even staffed the children’s bingo table at the library’s Halloween party. This year I’ll continue to lend a hand to help with a Winter Solstice celebration where we honor those who have died during the year and celebrate the new year to come. I’m not sure if it helps those hundred or so who attend, but it always helps me.
Perhaps you have an interest in governance, education, social issues, children, or environmental concerns. Most likely you will be most effective when you work close to home. Hope comes from engaging in a hopeful process, such as planning a tree, donating time, or giving money to a good cause. What a wonderful adventure awaits us, a window of opportunity. So, I say yes to “a life of further service!”; to all the possible possibilities.
Now it’s your turn.
Take time to reflect and if in a group, share as you feel able.
Today:
a) I don’t know what kind of life work I should be doing.
b) I am finding it kind of hard to release my past work and be open to a new purpose.
c) I’m not sure if my volunteer work helps others, but it always helps me.
d) I am learning to say yes to “a life of further service!”; to all the possible possibilities.