Re-Creating a Maximized Life!
When I remember my initial days after joining the Methodist Church, I can recall the congregational care leader, Mr. Eugene Grant. At the end of our class meeting, Mr. Grant would conclude by saying, “May you be blessed, prosper, and have the health of John Wesley.” Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was a poster child for a well-lived life.
It is estimated Wesley rode 250,000 miles over his lifetime on horseback, preaching 8 sermons every Sunday until his eyesight grew poor. He was a relatively fit man; historical records suggest he weighed close to 130 pounds. He was once quoted as saying, I am as strong at 81 as I was at 21…but abundantly more healthy, being a stranger to the headache, toothache, and other bodily disorders which attended me in my youth.[1] Aging well is the premise of Linda Gratton and Andrew Scott’s The 100-Year Life. It concludes that we are now a part of a new dispensation in time. Life has transitioned to a multi-stage platform, and the increased rate of life expectancy has disrupted the common flow of education, work, and retirement.
Growing up in my context you were held in high regard if you completed the three-step process. You went to school- to go to work -and you work- so that you can retire- you retire and do little after and then you die. Following this pattern was also a pathway to status.
Gratton and Scott speak of status when people work long hours then both they and others see them being busy and in demand, and therefore they may feel better about themselves and externally valued. [2] The status factor is huge because everyone wants to be valued in life. However, as I grow older my personal preference is to do what I want to as opposed to doing what I have to. This calls for re-creation in life.
The authors hit the nail on the head with the statement that re- creation will be more important than recreation.With change predicted in people, the workplace, and government, it is critical for people to reassess how to manage living life longer. The time element also falls directly in sync with another key theme, managing transition. This part hit home for me because I have seen friends, relatives, and colleagues hit the wall because they did not navigate the transitions well in life. They appear seemingly stuck in cement, attached to one phase of life and the good ole day. This could also be applied to business and corporate entities as I ponder how many businesses have shut their doors due to a failure to employ adaptive leadership.
I also resonated with the fact that the education we experienced in our formative years would not be sufficient for the emerging jobs and career spectrum. I find this to be spot on in my very own backyard. Central New York was once known as the manufacturing hub of the state. The steel, automotive, air-conditioning and alcohol and beverage industry employed tens of thousands of people. When manufacturing jobs left the region, it has since been replaced by STEM and many of the employees were not at retirement age forcing them to find sustainable income and working past 65.
It is true that many people built themselves on the three stage (education, employment, retire) module. It was refreshing to read that the authors did not leave readers with solely a problem as many do, but conversely point people towards an opportunity fixed with a positive outcome, A multi-stage life with new milestones and turning points creates numerous sequencing opportunities. [3]Overall, one of the several things I appreciated about the book was the marriage of the author’s talents. Gratton, a professor of management practice, and Scott, a professor of economics. Their combined strong suits allowed me to see this simple but profound fact with a clearer perspective. One facet that was not abundantly clear, which I would have loved to know, was the success rate and specific ages of persons who recognized the signs of the present times and made a positive pivot.
Reading this book took me back to Jeremiah 29 as the Lord encouraged an exilic people to prepare for a long and prosperous stay, Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. (Jeremiah 29: 5-7, NRSV)
May we all live a long, productive, and maximized life!
[1] Admin, CMS. “The Shocking Truth about John Wesley.” Christianity Today. Last modified July 29, 2004. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2003/03/shocking-truth-about-john-wesley/.
[2] Lynda Gratton and Andrew J. Scott, The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity (London ; New York, NY: Bloomsbury Business, 2017). Kindle. 174
[3] Gratton and Scott. Kindle.7.
.
About the Author
Daren Jaime
20 responses to “Re-Creating a Maximized Life!”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Daren,
Thanks for your post and reflections on Wesley. That guy was certainly an anomaly. You do bring up a good point at the end with a question about how might we see a successful change in people and what percentage of people might do that well? It seems that most of us in this cohort are engaged in this to some level. We are all re-inventing ourselves through this program. Do you see yourself stepping out of the three stage process at this point in your life?
Hey Adam! I do see myself doing such this program is straectching me to rethink possibilities after the pastorate, possibly coaching either ministerial or basketball but I am eyeing recreation through recreation if I am afforded life, health and strength.
Daren,
Glad you were able to get the book. I wonder as a pastor how would you use this book to encourage your congregation?
Gratton and Scott write “As people from different ages mingle, they develop deep friendships and the boundaries between ‘us’ and ‘them’ begin to break down; this in turn encourages people to take multiple perspectives and stretch their view of the world” [1] What do intergenerational relationships look like in your church?
[1] Gratton and Scot, 342.
Hey Jeff, We are blessed to have multiple generations in church, and we foster activities where we can engage with each other. At times, in my preaching, I will say something that is generation-specific and challenge the other generations to find out what that means. Musically, we are diverse with our singers and music selection, and these are just a few of the ways we try to bridge that gap.
Go, Daren! I appreciate you bringing John Wesley into the discussion. But seriously, 250,000 miles on horseback? That’s nuts!
I have been digging into the Book of Discipline (the year 2000 version) and recently bought a 1912 version from when Methodists and Episcopals were united. Both are fascinating reads. No question – just celebrating your work.
Hi Jennifer! Thank You. Wesley was a workhorse and a health nut. I am trying to live and achieve vicariously through him. LOL
Hi, Jaime, I enjoyed reading your post. I too was taught to get education, work and then retired. When growing up, it seems simple. The re-creation of self resonates with me as well, I have re-trained over three times as a result or trying to adapt to the changing workforce.
You ended with the book of Jeremiah; you think this is an analogy for our temporal living on the earth?
Hi Noel! I think we have to dig in. The times have surely changed, and so must our methodology about life and how to maximize it. Too many people get to the retirement stage and either become bored or stagnate. While working a job may not be necessary, I believe finding a way to reinvent yourself in the latter years for enjoyment is critical.
Daren, you mention re-creation and you quote, “A multi-stage life with new milestones and turning points creates numerous sequencing opportunities.” As a pastor, how do you anticipate re-creating your life, and how might you be able to help people in your congregation consider re-creating their lives? What sorts of milestones and turning points might be in view?
Hi Debbie! Thanks for your question; I answered some of this in my response to Adam. I recently shared with my church how Joshua told God his eyes were dim, and God responded, but there is still more land to conquer!
I have been intentional about seeking out resources and opportunities for our congregation to become active. Also, knowing there is a new Stem Dynamic, we recently were granted 100,000 to teach technology to seniors and create programming for them to bridge the digital divide. When we roll out anything technology-based, we utilize our younger generation as ambassadors for onboarding, and this has been somewhat of a success.
Darren, thanks for your post. I have noticed that people who do not follow the three stage process seem to live longer and healthier lives. My father-in-law is 93 and actively works at something all the time.
Based on your reading, how might you counsel the next generation?
Hey Graham! When we were children, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. In that generation, we would say one thing (doctor, lawyer, etc.). When someone mentioned two careers back then, it was frowned upon, and the default response was to pick one. Now, it is the norm to be multitalented and multivocal.
Today, I encourage the emerging generations to be multi-talented, multi-vocational, and multilingual. Gen Z is off to a great start in this area, and I think there is much to learn from this demographic.
Darren, I appreciate the brief introduction to Wesley. I am more familiar with his sermons than I am with his lifestyle, which piques my interest. Is there a specific way you see the concept of re-creation that can benefit those in various stages of life in your congregation?
Hey Chad! I think I spoke to some of this in my earlier responses, but let me add that there is value in creating opportunities for recreation. Some feel that the mountain is too high to climb or choose to rest in comfort zones. It is my belief that as Pastor, I have an opportunity to expose those I serve to ways and opportunities that will promote recreation.
God is into re-creation. He said in Isaiah 43, “I will do a new thing.” If the creator can re-create, then we, as his creation, should strive for this as well.
Hi Daren, you statement about working long hours so others see them as busy and in demand and make people feel valued resonated with me. I have struggled with workaholism and have found it to be rooted in finding my identity outside of Christ.
How have you overcome this and opted for re-creation instead?
Christy you are not alone. I learned that working long hours may benefit others but is not always beneficial to the individual. I am in the working smarter not harder mode. This conserves energy and allows me energy for the recreational things I enjoy. I was taught early in my ministry never to confuse busyness with doing the father’s business.
You also mentioned finding your identity. I think when one finds and is secure in their identity, they can create healthy boundaries, and this paves the way for times of recreation and re-creation that so many wish they had but fail to experience.
Hi Daren,
Thanks for mentioning your desire to understand more about those who “recognized the signs of the present times and made a positive pivot.” Based on your own experience, what do you think are some of the factors that affect identifying changes and shifting one’s mindset?
Hi Kari, Fear is a huge factor and the unknown and uncertainty factor from my perspective is a dominant theme. There is an old saying, “what got you here wont get you there.” However, many have fallen on the sword on this hill.
Age is also a factor as we are set in our ways. The older we become the less energy we want to expend on things when the return on investment is not as clear as we desire, hence we will just become complacent and comfortable.
Hi Daren, I appreciate your emphasis on people needing to reassess how to manage living longer lives. I can relate to your experience witnessing loved ones “stuck” because of poorly navigated transitions. Have you felt any need to re-create in this season of your life? What have you reassessed?
Hey Elysse! I mentioned earlier this program is a way to re-create. My hope is to one day teach and train in a more academic setting and do some consulting. So a lot that i am gleaning in these three years is paving the way for re-creation.
I have assessed that successful people have more than one tool in their toolbox, and while I am young enough, I am trying to shop and store more tools for my chest.