Use It or Lose It

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.                                                                Psalm 90:17

I was speaking with a client recently about lifelong learning. He mentioned that he had recently taken a course to give him certification in a particular occupation. He had retired just a year or so ago, but he engaged in this educational program, not to earn money in a career, but because he wanted to challenge himself. He wanted to learn and be certified even though he has no plans to earn a living at this endeavor.

My wife, a retired teacher and school counselor, continues to take courses at the University of Dayton because she loves to learn, is curious, and wants to stay relevant and current.

What a great idea! I see this as learning for the sake of learning- learn in order to learn. So often, of course when we are younger, we learn so that we can earn.  Isn’t it refreshing to learn just to learn?

I believe that if in retirement we simply – to use a sports analogy- “dribble out the clock” on life, we are depriving ourselves and others of so much. There is always much to learn, and also to give away!

We are built to keep up our interest in life, even when “retired”, by learning, teaching, writing, volunteering, mentoring- you name it. The old saying “use it or lose it” contains a lot of wisdom.

What do you think?

Prayer: Lord, I believe you have wired us to be useful for as long as we live! Amen