Waiting to exhale (Part 3)
I noted the posts of those who are about to retire. Some reminiscent, some sad, some excited and others, well, just going through a life’s stage.
I would want to be excited. Exhaling means letting go of some air so you can breathe in new ones. It is supposed to relieve you and start you up again. That is the attitude I want to take on when it is my time to move on.
Now there is that word again, moving on! It does not mean leaving things behind. It entails having to go ahead and progress, whether progression means doing something you like and have never had the chance to do, or just going ahead and discovering new things, new talents, new capacities or simply new interests.
Some of my friends who are single or childless would tell me that there is no reason to do much anymore. That travelling would be a good pursuit, that seeing new places would be a good way to spend time. Having no heirs means having no one to benefit from your efforts.
I disagree on the last note. The world can benefit from what you do when you think of just one good act. The multiplication of one good deed goes as far as doing something bad. But this time, ripe adults as we are, it is time for us to leave a good legacy. By this I mean making meaningful choices, taking on meaningful endeavors that may leave a lasting impression. You may not be remembered for it but you may have helped someone benefit from it. And even if that someone no longer recalls who helped him or her, that fact that you were able to improve his or her life, can lead to that person’s improving other’s lives too. That would be a good to look back on in your place in heaven, though we expect no rewards.
What is important is that as you extend yourself to others, they also take on the values that you want to impart.
Many would say, “Today’s generation is a result of the volatility of the world, values are no longer the same. The young are so entitled, so unconcerned of the future, they live for the day, and they no longer even want to have families because they are so concerned about enjoying themselves.”
Hmmmm, maybe we judge too easy. Maybe some do take on that path. But there are those who still value the essentials of humanity. Engagement, significant conversations, moments of exchange that bring out insights and the joy of life. Family, the main source of companionship, support and love. Faith, basic acknowledgement that life is not ours to hold on to but ours to use for the glory of God. To fulfill His commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves by taking care of whoever He chances in your way, in whatever way you are able.
I say so because I still believe that things should not be contrived or forced. That the desire to be relevant is also based on what comes easy, spontaneous and abounding in joy. That the ultimate result should be a wonderful intake of breath, where one can sit back, relax and just be happy.
Plant to harvest. Teach to help people learn a skill they can use in life or a value to live by. Write to document life as it is for the future to note and maybe learn from. Most of all, live because that is really what life is about.
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