German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche once said, “He who has a why can endure any how.”
When weighed down by the daily pressures of work, caregiving, child-rearing, volunteer service, community engagement, and [fill in the blank] pressures of life, it helps to step back and reflect.
Why am I doing all of this? What’s the driver behind all of this frenetic activity? Is it making a difference, or is it simply filling of the days with a multitude of tasks?
When I sit still long enough to reflect, I often find my ‘why’ leaking out of my eyes.
The passion for the work we do at Area Agency on Aging and through community partnerships, the people we are privileged to serve, and the honor it is to walk with others through some of the toughest parts of their lives, my ‘why’ sometimes overflows and makes silent trails down my cheeks.
Client comments such as: “Your team made it possible for mom to live the last decade of her life in the home that she loves”, and “I would not be alive if not for the care your team provides”, or the senior volunteer who, after finding her purpose in volunteer service, said, “I didn’t know I had anything to give that someone would value. Thank you for showing me I still have value,” bring my ‘why’ into sharp focus.
At a recent staff meeting we spent time reflecting on our personal ‘whys’. Many days, the work here is hard. Magnificently rewarding, but still hard. At times, we enter into peoples’ lives when they are in crisis mode. Not always, but often. Some of the personal “why’s” staff cited include:
- “My why is to provide compassionate care to those who need it – to listen, understand, and empower. I want to change the lives of others for the better.”
- “Because even on my worst day – on days when I’m just not ‘feeling it’ — I know I’m part of something amazing that makes a difference in this world.”
- “I enjoy working in a place where we help people and are like a family.”
- “My why is to serve clients, caregivers, and their families AND make them feel heard and cared for.”
- “My colleagues inspire and elevate me.”
- “The impact I have to assist older adults to continue living as independently as they can in the community.”
- “To lighten the load of others.”
- “…gives me the opportunity to give hope and happiness to those in need.”
- “To stand in the gap… to give a voice to those who have no voice.”
- “Thriving, health and wellness for ALL community members.”
Other key words and phrases were equity, options, flexibility, compassion, advocate, community, choices, kindness, supporting/caring for others, mission, and more.
Financial and bureaucratic headwinds can take our eyes off the impact of our work if we let it. The scope of the work is large. Community and individual client needs are great. The opportunity to meet those needs with the talents and resources of our staff and community partners is a privilege. Supporting each other, both as an internal team and as a collective community, is key.
In that staff meeting, one person was brave enough to respond, “I don’t know [my why].”
If you too are struggling to find your why, or if it is not the presence of frenetic activity but rather the absence of purpose that haunts you, consider connecting with the Campus for Creative Aging. You’ll find a team ready to help you explore your purpose.
If the frenetic activity in your life includes dealing with challenges of age, disability, or caregiving responsibilities, know there is a team of dedicated professionals ready to inform, equip, empower, and walk with you through the challenges – and opportunities – that aging presents. Connect with them at 800-654-2810.