Last week I had the daunting realization, I am getting older. I’ve been involved in many conversations lately that revolve around ways of reaching out to the 20-35 year old demographic (aka: young people). I have starkly realized a numbing fact— I am no longer within that demographic. I can no longer tick the same box on the age form. I am nearing 40 years on this earth – I still have a year and change before that happens- but I am closer to 40 than I am to 35.
This was reaffirmed yesterday as I was at the gym in a conversation with a fellow cross fitter. I said I was from Winchester and graduated from the local high school, GRC. I said I graduated in 1995. This is usually followed up with a statement such as, “I graduated in…” No, instead she drove the nail in the coffin of me feeling old when she said this, “My parents graduated in 1985.” I am closer in age to your parents than I am to you?
Alright, I had to step away from the computer and take a few deep breaths after reading that last statement. I am back and I ready to share what I am going to do about it.
As I have realized that I am not as young as I once was, an appreciation for the limited amount of time I have on this earth has come to me. Two days ago, I got to spend a good length of time discussing life, family and other important things with one of my former grade school teachers. This wisdom and perspective helped me to see life with more clarity— it is short, relationships are key, and time moves fast.
I can feel a dogged determination to do the things that I was made to do. This clarifying of purpose and how I spend my days is expressed well in this quote from Howard Thurman:
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
The world is in bad shape. It always has been a bit sideways and we can all feel that now.
The question of how we can make a difference in this world is one that becomes daunting. It can be overwhelming. But we can – you and I – make a difference in this world if we are willing to pursue with reckless abandon the things that make us come alive.
The realization of my age is bringing about this wake up call. It is helping me to number my days and ask,
“What do I care about most and how can I live that out to the full?”
I ask the same of you:
What makes you come alive?
Are you doing much of that?
How can you do more of what makes you come alive.