An acquaintance and I were talking about retirement: some of the pros and cons. He mentioned that he wanted to work another 5 years or so: he could use the money and after so many years on the job, he was really good at what he did.
Looking back, I said, I wish that when I retired that I could have taken 2 years off and then gone back part-time. Also I was really skilled at what I did and missed, “Getting out of the house every day and participating in the commerce of the larger world, contributing through my job.”
To this he replied, “That’s a pretty good way of putting it; never heard it said quite that way: getting out of the house and participating in the larger world.”
* * *
It seems to me, one of the aspects of a healthy life is contributing to the larger world. Feeling part of a family or community and helping in some way. We see this all around us; notably as a mother gets her children ready in the morning and off to school; this being one of the foundational actions of our western society.
Now that my physical ability is limited I consider how this statement, getting out of the house daily, applies to all those people who are disabled, infirm and unable to leave their home for physical, medical or psychological reasons.
Fortunately nowadays reaching out to others, helping and connecting can be accomplished through different venues like FB, telephone, watching TV, in-home volunteers and meditation or prayer. People connect with others in all sorts of ways.
I have to be honest: while my focus and ability to interact has shifted from work, my heart still yearns for that daily connection of helping others, through their rehabilitation, reach higher. I miss that essential one to one connection.
* * *
Then I am reminded of words offered by some modern sages, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you find you get what you need.”+
While I continue to wrestle with getting out of the house, Mick and the boys, with their musical wisdom help a little: make me laugh and for a time, give what I need.
-SB
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+ Lyrics taken from, The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Let It Bleed Album, 1969.
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