Despite the frigid air outside, this first month of the year has been incredibly busy. Like the title of my blog, LifePartThree, my life is filled with new activities.
Books I have been reading by Pastor Mark Batterson and Allen Arnold have inspired me to dream bigger. Some people at my age have just slowed down, but for me that doesn’t work.
Last time I wrote about doing life with God this year, and I have to say I am enjoying it. I remind myself every morning to start my day that way and now it is becoming a habit.
Books, books, and more books!
Reading Mark Batterson’s books has made one thing clear – as a Christian we need to dream big. He was not talking about dreaming for material things.
Dreaming with God means life will change. I believe to change you need to be teachable. Books help me do that. The Bible is my anchor for the day, but I also read constantly. I know the only way to be a better writer is to read great books and to study how they write.
Retirement doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t work. Some people choose not to ever work again, and others try to pursue something different. I was amazed when I got the AARP Bulletin (January/February 2018), it was all about older people changing careers long after turning 50. The article included people who became anything from a physician to a fitness trainer. Several had to go back to school or went for the first time. Some were even told it was impossible but proved them to be wrong. They all are happy with their choices.
What is something you wanted to do earlier in life that you just didn’t try? It is never too late to try.
I can relate to that. My teaching career started when I was 35 because I chose to raise a family first. In my late fifties I totally changed my classroom teaching by engaging in online communities and learning from them. I presented at a state conference and began doing workshops with a co-teacher. During this time I also became proficient in my technology skills and changed from classroom teaching to being the technology teacher for the district. That was my dream job. It was a bold move and I loved every minute of it.
Since retiring I have tried many other new things and life has been busy. According to Batterson dreaming God-sized dreams requires imagination and will be something you can’t do on your own. It is risky and people will advise you not to do it.
When I started dabbling in writing novels I knew it would be hard. The process of getting a story with a beginning and an end is not easy. That is only one step in the process. That’s why people give up.
What are your dreams? Batterson says we need to keep praying for God to help us realize our dreams. In one of my favorite books The Traveler’s Gift they talked about people giving up on dreams because of impatience. Don’t give up.
The opportunities out there are ama
zing. A local church can offer opportunities to grow in faith. There are groups to do just about anything from dancing to quilting. I have friends who play pickle ball and love it. But those things are activities to keep us busy.
Dare to dream. What is something you wanted to do earlier in life that you just didn’t try? It is never too late.
Colonel Sanders started Kentucky Fried Chicken at the age of 65. Grandma Moses started painting at 76. John Glenn went out in space at 77. The list could go on and on.
You don’t have to do something big. But things like mentoring or reading in a school can make a huge difference in someone’s life while enriching your own. Just passing on the legacy of reading can change a life. Use your imagination and make a difference!
Life Part Three 