Of course, caring for loved ones is a big part of my purpose too, but I tend to think of my purpose as having other elements as well - elements connected to community engagement, political activism, and creative expression, for example.
Watching the Inauguration the other day, I found myself in complete awe of Joe Biden's willingness to assume the Presidency of the United States at such a difficult time. It seems to me his willingness isn't a function of ambition or ego, as is too often the case with politicians. Rather, he appears driven by an immense sense of purpose and commitment to service, deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. How else to explain a man of his age stepping away from what could be a very comfortable retirement to confront the challenges created by decades of poor economic, social and political leadership - not to mention four years of Trump? I may not agree with everything Biden does in the next four years, but he has my sincere admiration and gratitude for his willingness to take on such an enormous task. The same goes for Kamala Harris.
I don't imagine for a minute my purpose in life is anything nearly as important and meaningful as Joe's or Kamala's, but I hope it's something more significant than simply filling my days with useless distractions, as seems to be the case for some retirees.
Which isn't to say enjoying life isn't both important and necessary. We all need joy in our lives to heal our wounded hearts, inspire our dreams and energize our spirits. As my friend Mary Dixon put it in a recent Facebook post:
It’s okay to be joyful.Because joy will give you energy.Because joy will give you the desire to contribute to the world in some way.Because joy will ripple out through your family and friends and give them support and encouragement when they need it, and they will ripple it out to others who need it.Because joy will uplift and help people to be in a more hopeful state of mind to help those who are suffering.Because joy will help heal your ancestral lineage and make a healthier future for generations to come.Because joy will help you to be more curious and creative and explore different opportunities and ideas more fearlessly.Because joy will create a better emotional state of being from which to lead others in any important work that needs doing.
As I work towards articulating my purpose in retirement, I think perhaps I need to start by asking what brings me joy? What activities, relationships, and teachings have the best chance of propelling me closer to realizing my life's purpose - or, at least, to being the person I want to be - someone more compassionate, capable, and committed to making the world a better place for herself and others.
Yes, joy seems a good place to start.
Here's a link to a video project that gave me joy this week - both because the subject was a happy one, and because I learned so much putting it together. If you take a few minutes to watch it, I hope it brings you a little joy as well.
