“I want to stay relevant, not just take up space,” I replied to a man who commented on how involved I stay. In many ways, I feel emotionally younger (though wiser) and more competent than ever, and more willing to take risks, too. My book Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! exposed a lot of my life and experiences in ways I never could have done any sooner. It took courage for me to publish a lot of the pieces contained in it, knowing that some people might find them too intimate, too depressing, too joyful, too whatever. I simply had to believe that what I wrote would be of value to other women. That faith – both in myself and in others – has been validated.
I have several friends who ask, “Why do you work so hard?” I tell them that I feel compelled to share what I’ve learned. It’s important to me that I continue to have value in the world, and it seems that the best way I can do that is by writing and speaking to groups of women. For others, that urge to remain relevant will take a different shape. Perhaps you will want to volunteer with the Red Cross, for example, whether at a hospital or as a worker after natural disasters. One friend volunteers with Guardian ad Litem, helping to protect and defend children who are in the legal system, usually because of abuse or neglect. The stories she tells me are heartbreaking, but she plays a part in making their little lives safe again. Another friend is involved in spending an hour every week with a second grader, reading to him and encouraging him in his studies. Intervention at a young age is documented to boost kids’ school progress. What tugs at your heart? How can you remain relevant with your efforts?