I had a significant birthday this year; one that ended in a number that left me feeling particularly introspective. . .
When I started doing the work I do these days, the emphasis was on forming faith in people who were in the first third of their lives. Our focus was entirely on children and young adults. With this birthday, I am entering the third, and final, third of my life. That thought is a bit sobering, and at the same time very interesting.
What, I keep wondering, are the developmental tasks of people in the 3rd third of life? When I started asking that question, I began to notice what some of those tasks might be.
The first task I encountered was considering how much longer I should work.
- Am I still effective?
- Does anyone still need what I am "selling"? (That question reflects life in the midst of a global pandemic. . . )
- Should I try out one more kind of job before I send my briefcase off to Goodwill?
- And, of course, is retiring even a financial option?
Still working out the answers to those questions.
The next task is related, but not exactly the same: how shall I spend my time when I am no longer working?
- Volunteer?
- Travel?
- Write a book?
- Move closer to kids and grands?
- Take up a new hobby?
- Read all the books on my to read list?
This task is definitely a work in progress.
As I mused it struck me - my first third was spent PRACTICING. I had to learn to walk and talk and reason and relate. I spent my second third DOING all the things I had learned to do, and learning how to do them better. Now, in this third third, I get to BE the person formed by all that practicing, learning and doing. BEING looks less like a task, which makes it be both harder and easier than the active tasks of the first two-thirds. This is probably the space where my faith will change and grow the most.
I'll have to get back to you on how this one goes too.
One more big developmental task has presented itself so far. I have started referring to it as UNLEARNING. I am beginning to realize that many things I learned are no longer true. I also notice that some of the things I learned were never true, even as I was learning them. In some areas, I haven't learned anything new in decades, but what is known about some of those things has continued to expand, and I need to get up to speed!
I am not rushing into anything, but I'm looking forward to BEING and UNLEARNING. Both of these tasks seem like they will enrich my time, my relationships, and my future experiences.
How about you? What tasks are you finding or observing in the 3rd third? Do BEING and UNLEARNING seem challenging or needful to you? Comment here, or shoot me a note on Facebook or email - I hope this can be a conversation.
