I thought I would diligently explore the last third of my life on a regular basis, but not just days, weeks or months have gone by. Years have passed. Am I inattentive? Am I "too busy?" Do I care? Do I not care? Perhaps none of that matters. I'm here now. Be here now, Cheryl. Be here now.
Friday evening as I was leaving work, I stopped to chat with a co-worker whom I've known now for a few months. He's about 5 years younger than I am, but he is clearly looking at the final third of his life also. "I'm aware that time is running out and I'm looking for something that will make a difference." As his voice trailed off, his words were, "Have I made a difference?"
In the short time I've known him, it's abundantly clear to me he has made a huge difference in other's lives. He knows that, but is he measuring his impact in terms of globally? I suspect his desire is to find a cause to adopt and throw his talents and energy into. It begs the question, though, "Is it enough to impact individual lives?"
I'm talking about another person only because his words reflect my own struggle. I, too, know I've impacted individuals, but of all of the injustices in the world, the pain, the dark places, where can I bring light and change the course of the status quo? Is it prison reform? Human trafficking? Restorative justice? Art and healing? Trauma and healing?
What if I come to the end of my days, and I haven't made the earth I walk a better place to be?
