What Do You Want to Do with the Rest of Your Life?
A Question that Helps Me Find My Way
I’ve heard it said that,
“Statements put us in a State, but Questions set us in a Quest.”
For me the question, “What do you want to do with the rest of your life?”, helps me to articulate a clear set of priorities and direction for the future.
When my son-in-law asked me that question over ten years ago, I didn’t even have to think about it. “Three things!” I said.
“I want to be with people when it counts, I want to write about what matters most, and I want to hike as long as I can.”
The answer came from my heart, not my head. I just knew what to say. Maybe I’ve always known, but lacked the confidence to say it out loud.
Whatever it was, I knew that these are the things that make me come alive. They move me, through places and spaces where I discover who I am and what I’m made of, where I’m going and what helps me go there.
They also open my eyes to the things that hold me back.
What Ian didn’t know when he asked that question, was that I had already committed to leaving my Pastoral role in a local church, so I could pursue a career in Clinical Pastoral Care as a Healthcare and Hospice Chaplain. I had already applied for training and would later be hired by a local Hospice Organization, with whom I still work today.
Over the years I’ve put a lot of energy into “Being with people when it counts,” and into “Hiking as long as I can.” I was a minister for nearly 30 years and have practiced Chaplaincy for almost a decade. And I’ve hiked over 2,500 miles since Ian popped the question way back when.
Writing was like my middle child, who now needs more attention than ever. I’ve felt her calling to me for most of my adult life, and I’ve worked hard to develop my voice, but not so hard at putting my voice out there, so people like you can hear me.
I write Personal Essays that are the Reflections of my own Spiritual Pilgrimage. I draw inspiration from my life experience and various careers as a Pastor, Chaplain, and Hiker.
My reflections are about faith and doubt, personal growth, and other things that help me find my way along Life’s zigzagged, up & down, two-steps-forward-one-step-back Path.
I’ve learned that everything on this Path belongs. Bright vistas, dark valleys, sunshine and rain. All of it forms the substance of what we need - or at least what I need - to find my way in life. Joys and Sorrows, Hopes and Fears, Gifts and Gaffs, Sweet Spots and Blind Spots are the ingredients that nurture self awareness, growth and becoming. Always Becoming.
And now I’m here with you. And I’m so glad that you are here with me. I hope that you enjoy my posts. And I look forward to us Finding Our Way Together.
And one more thing. What do You Want to Do with the rest of Your Life?
Wishing you Grace and Peace along the way.
Joe