How to Pick Yourself Up Off the Floor

In a churchyard in Wales (United Kingdom), there are the words, “Here lieth the body of William Edwards of Cacreg, who departed this life 24th February, Anno Domini 1668, age one hundred and sixty-eight.” This man must surely have had a secret that the rest of us do not know about living and dying!

Many people do, in fact, want to live for an exceptionally long time, but maybe not that long! Some of us would simply enjoy having a life where we had enough time to accomplish everything on our “bucket list.”

[Just for fun, CLICK on the following message from our archives]

Momentum Bucket List

The Next 50

Truly, no one would likely want to spend the rest of their life working at their jobs or professions much past retirement age. Of course, that number varies widely. Some retire early, excited to begin their next great adventure. And some stick with working until someone or something pushes them out the door. There may also be a valid financial need that keeps us there. In whatever way we handle our later years, it will depend on what we did or did not do with the first 50 years.

One thing to realize right away is that it is never too late for an adjustment, no matter which decade we live in right now. There are numerous books available that explain that very fact. Especially in our single-again lifestyle, we may absolutely need to find a different way to do things. We are not alone. Just think of all the many, many people during this Covid-19 pandemic that have gone through devastations of all kinds and have had to start over.

Losing jobs through layoffs, bankruptcies, house fires, weather catastrophes, and illnesses are just some of the many examples of having to pick ourselves up off the floor and begin again. We are reminded of the familiar thought of “getting back on the horse” after falling off. Somewhere down deep inside ourselves, there is a reservoir that has been left untapped for this exact season of our life.

When we try, really try, and do not give up, we will find new ways to do things, resources we did not know we had, friends who will come through for us, help from all directions, and a sense of peace at the bottom of that well. The key to all this is not just sitting back and having a pity party, but standing on our own two feet, dusting off our behinds, and putting that foot right back in the stirrup. When others see this in us, they will want to join our “party.”

This is No Fantasy

Nothing is more attractive than succeeding when life wants to knock us down like falling fence posts. Soon, we will not even remember what “disaster” feels like. We will be too busy organizing and arranging our lives just the way we have dreamed they could and should be. It is true! This is not a fantasy; it is our life. We do not have time to ignore the possibilities waiting for us. One absolute fact: no one else will work and create a new life for us, but they will want to jump in and be a part of it.

Once we are on our way and can relax, then we can help others going through exactly what we did. Sometimes that is the reason why God gives us these challenges. He expects us to use the experience and knowledge we have developed to help our neighbors. They are valuable commodities to share. We can use our gifts and talents to find a unique way to walk alongside another woman. From quite simple ideas of encouragement, we can make someone’s life turn around for good.

“Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it” (Psalm 34:12, 14 NLT). 

Graduation Test

Many of us are consumed this time of year with graduation plans. Whether we are the one throwing our cap in the air, or we are the parent, grandparent, or friend of a graduate, excitement fills our hearts for what the future holds! The diploma or degree we now hold in our hands means we can start our future on a solid foundation as we go forward. 

Here’s a question: What were you doing in the summer at age 10? Maybe jumping rope was your favorite thing to do. Or skateboarding on the hills of your neighborhood. Building the next biggest dollhouse with Legos. Or do you remember how to play jacks and ball?

Whatever it was, most of us at age 10 were not busy framing our newly acquired, four-year degree like Michael Kearney! He earned an anthropology degree before he could vote!

Favorite Activity
We, too, have great hopes of what we want to do with our lives now that we are on our own. A temporary summer job or internship may just be the starting point for re-creating a new life. Most likely, we have skills we have never tried using in the past even if we have never been employed. Valuable talents and gifts were given to us by God that can now be put to good use. Have you ever:

--Organized a group of parents to raise school funds?

--Opened your home to preschool kids while their mom worked?

--Cooked and catered an event?

--Used a computer for data entry?

--Walked all the neighborhood dogs?

The list goes on and on, but now you can use all that volunteering experience to earn money! What’s your favorite activity? That is most likely your talent. Try it!

You think you are too old for something new? Don’t tell that to Annie Dillard from South Carolina who earned her bachelor’s degree in her late 30s and yet another associates degree at age 92. She says, “My advice is you can make it if you try, but you have to start somewhere.” Dillard still plans to go back for more schooling! Wow!

Annie would make a great friend with Mozelle Richardson, who published her ninth book at age 94 and holds the Guinness Book of World Records for earning a journalism degree from Oklahoma University at age 90. Mozelle is 104 years old this year.

The F Word
No! No! No! It’s not what you think. We are talking about what got these brilliant people, young and not-so-young, to a point of never giving up on life. We don’t know their circumstances for sure, but maybe their lives were wonderful and tied up with a pretty pink bow. But then again, maybe they had so many serious challenges that they were determined to make the best of what they had in their hands and change their expected paths.

These amazing people most probably were close friends with the F Word: F-a-i-t-h. None of us can get anywhere without it. How do we know? Because none of us can exist without believing in something or someone. We’ve all been there. When we put our trust in worldly things such as more and more money, possessions, promotions, and immoral pleasures (just to name a few), we can’t expect it will last. It never does. It turns to rust and decay and eventually disappoints us.

Faith isn’t anything we can see. It’s a special “graduation” gift from God that will drive us straight to his best plan and purpose for our lives. When will you open your gift?

“It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 The Message).