Expectations. I'm thinking expectations are a huge factor in how you view life. Don't you think our culture - speaking in REALLY broad strokes here! - encourages us to applaud 40-whatever years of work and to think we are now done? Go and enjoy yourself! And if that is for another 20 years - all the better.
Do other cultures create the same expectations???
I can think of a few that don't. :)
What excites me are the people I know who are in their 60s even 70s who are finding these the most rewarding years of all! Some are getting paid for having so much fun; others are not. But the important thing seems to be the thrill of finding new passions, learning new things and following those leadings.
I can think of a number of women who are 55+ and pursuing masters degrees. That means they are preparing for those passions and learning new things to be effective in them. Different expectations! I'd love to connect us all. :) If you are one - let me know! If you know of one, the same!
I think our stage of life gives us a certain freedom to follow our passions that younger people do not have. A certain amount of financial freedom exists too that means I am not tied into doing this in order to launch a career.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I've raised my children (well that never really ends, but the busy part is done), the career I've worked at all my life needs to wind down and I find myself fascinated by new things that are challenging me to learn.
I really don't have to do this, I could ignore that invitation from God to delve deeper and follow him into whatever he brings next. But, I've learned to trust him enough to know that if I want to continue to live my life in that front line zone of God's activity where he changes and challenges his people, I need to do this. I do not want to sit back in a comfortable pew and protest that my time is over.