Old Soul Seeks Position in Think Tank

Old Soul Seeks Position at Think Tank by debgrant

What Got Me Thinking:

• Conversations I have had since retiring have a predictable formula: “So you are writing, painting, creating art, helping out here and there, reading…BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

• The scene in the movie Apollo 13 where the engineers trying to save the lives of the astronauts throw a box load of random stuff on a table and state the problem: we have to make this part fit to this part only using the materials the astronauts have available in the spacecraft. I love that stuff.

• Retirement means finding new ways to live life. Those who fail at this often go back to work.

• I don’t want to go back to work. I like writing, art, and reading. My body is getting old and slow. The cardboard box of who I am has fewer resources including but not limited to finances, energy, the right clothes, a profound desire NOT to get COVID, knees that complain, and a deep appreciation for naps.

What’s Left?

• I can still think. Maybe what I can DO is think! I could be in a think tank. How do people get those jobs?

• The church, the many flavors of Christian church right now could use a think tank. I would love to be in a think tank for congregations who are stuck thinking it is all about filling pews. It’s not. We need to truly live the life of the Body of Christ.

Why didn’t I DO that when I was working?

• I was too afraid of losing my job.

• I was too afraid to think outside the box and find a way to die of generosity.

• I was too afraid that if I pushed people to DO more (many of whom were limited in resources) they would not feel loved.

• We need a think tank to deal with our fear.

What to DO?

• There’s still time for all of us to find a way to live and love.

• Maybe we can BE our own think tanks

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