Don't give up when you still have much to give

"I may as well quit. I'm not able to do what I used to do." Many feel their contributions to life are over because of chronological age, age discrimination, ill health or failure to keep up with what's current. A great perspective on that attitude jumped at me from its page recently. "Don't give up while you still have something to give." (Cross Connections)

The poem talked about self-worth, saying one needs not undermine his worth by comparing himself with others. It's because we're different that we're all special. It also advised people to set goals on what he believes to be important. Only he knows what's best for him.

People often compare themselves with others, set goals according to others' criteria and listen when they're told they need to stop working and enjoy life. It's assumed that happiness consists of taking it easy and striving for a life of leisure. Consequently, many prematurely dream of retiring. With some, retirement is a status symbol. They can "afford" to stop working. Often, such people anticipate sleeping late and having nothing to do except what they choose.

This isn't a treatise against ceasing to work at an unfulfilling job or one that has become tiresome. While one can frequently find joy from volunteering for worthwhile causes, or pursuing interests that have been postponed for retirement, it's a false assumption that fulfillment comes from constant relaxation and undue attention to one's pursuit of the perfect life.

Often, family members pressure loved ones to forego whatever overtaxes them, from genuine feelings of love and protectiveness. Adult children, particularly, occasionally prod parents to stop working and travel -- to take it easy. They've worked long and hard and need to enjoy life for the rest of their time on earth.

If someone listens to such talk he may, indeed, give up while he still has much to give and lose confidence in his ability to function at work or anywhere else.

He might take the destructive path of telling himself he's through and no one wants him around any more, misunderstanding the whole point of what he's heard.

He gives up, convincing himself he has nothing left to accomplish in life. We all know how deadly such viewpoints can be.

Often one lives in the past remembering what he used to do but can no longer accomplish. Or a person looks toward the future, thinking since he's getting older that his health will soon fail, anyway, and eventually he'll be unable to perform.

However, one needs to realize that as long as he lives he must fill his time and utilize his energy -- somehow. Fortunately, Christians can believe God will always have something for them to achieve even though that purpose may be hidden for a time. One must only remember he should "trust in the Lord with all his heart and lean not on his own understanding and that if he'll only acknowledge God, God will direct his paths" Proverbs 5, 6.

One must get up each morning, dress if he's able and do something with his day.

He can attempt to genuinely live and fill only that day, one day at a time -- refusing to give up. If he does this all the days of his life he'll find he always has something to give to the world through work, a hobby, sharing wisdom, visiting others or by simply showing his love for people.

He could appreciate what is rather than thinking about what might have been, and declare "I'll never, never give up while I still have something to give!"

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral parish.