LIVE! UPDATE BY DR. ROB KRAMER
Who Are You? My grandson and his close friend possessed identities as basketball players, destined for college scholarships and the NBA. Their careers were cut short when being 6’ 2” was too short and they became bench warmers. My grandson was devastated but chose to modify his identity. He joined the golf team. His friend killed himself.
In retirement, we ’ ve been stripped of part of our identities. But the most important identity we have is being someone who changes and grows. Our value is not any single identity but how our multiple and changing identities serve us and others. Our actions follow how we see ourselves. Discover a neglected micro-identity and nourish it or create a new identity - then create new actions that reflect it. Step 1: Pick a one-word description of your “ micro-identity. ” Examples: Writer Student Philanthropist Musician Artist Kindness Ambassador Step 2: Do one small action that fits your chosen title. • Start writing or expand your writing efforts. Consider attending ICL ’ s Novel Writing Workshop. • Take up a musical instrument (great way to keep dementia at bay). Join the Native Flute class. • Commit to learning something new – research, take classes, challenge old assumptions. • Participate in drawing or cooking classes. Let your creativity flow without judgement. • Discover causes close to your heart. Give generously, volunteer, support a cause. • Introduce new ways you can perform simple acts of kindness to family, friends, and strangers. Let these new actions fuse with your many identities, replacing old identities that are no longer relevant.
4 LIFELONG LEARNING
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