I think someone describing me would say that I am really active for someone my age (78.) He or she would probably point to the way I fill my days, going to zumba classes, daily walks, and involvement with volunteer activities. But, over the last year, I’ve pulled away from many of the volunteer activities that I was involved in.
About a year ago, I came to see myself as a compulsive volunteer, always saying yes to being on this or that committee, often taking responsible leadership positions. I also realized that after I signed up for some of them, I started to resent the work involved. So some people know that I started to resign and pull back from some things I had done for years. I quit a church committee that promised to be difficult and would last for months. No one else wanted to lead it, so after four meetings, I resigned and it hasn’t remained active. I then quit transporting injured birds for the Ojai Raptor Center after doing it for fifteen plus years. I now feel like I’d prefer to notice the live and healthy wildlife around me on daily walks. Invariably, my calls to pick up injured hawks and owls involved late in the day trips in heavy traffic, something I like less and less all the time.
Covid played a part in this withdrawal. I discovered that I liked staying close to home and I do not mind Zoom meetings. In fact, I’ve formed some solid cross-country friendships with people I would never have met otherwise. During the first part of the pandemic, the raptor center staff were reluctant to have older volunteers work there, so it was easier to ease myself out of involvement with them.
What’s followed is a deeper commitment to my remaining activities. People would also describe me as a person who loves learning new things. This has taken the form on online classes at local universities, as well as being part of three book discussion groups.
Discovering a nearby zumba class has led to a whole new set of friends and acquaintances. I volunteer making meals for homeless people at a local church twice a month, as well.
People also would say that I and my husband love to travel, either short trips to the desert to watch birds and photograph flowers, or taking overseas trips at least once a year.
I think people see me as basically optimistic and contented with my present life and they would be right.
— Oxnard15
About a year ago, I came to see myself as a compulsive volunteer, always saying yes to being on this or that committee, often taking responsible leadership positions. I also realized that after I signed up for some of them, I started to resent the work involved. So some people know that I started to resign and pull back from some things I had done for years. I quit a church committee that promised to be difficult and would last for months. No one else wanted to lead it, so after four meetings, I resigned and it hasn’t remained active. I then quit transporting injured birds for the Ojai Raptor Center after doing it for fifteen plus years. I now feel like I’d prefer to notice the live and healthy wildlife around me on daily walks. Invariably, my calls to pick up injured hawks and owls involved late in the day trips in heavy traffic, something I like less and less all the time.
Covid played a part in this withdrawal. I discovered that I liked staying close to home and I do not mind Zoom meetings. In fact, I’ve formed some solid cross-country friendships with people I would never have met otherwise. During the first part of the pandemic, the raptor center staff were reluctant to have older volunteers work there, so it was easier to ease myself out of involvement with them.
What’s followed is a deeper commitment to my remaining activities. People would also describe me as a person who loves learning new things. This has taken the form on online classes at local universities, as well as being part of three book discussion groups.
Discovering a nearby zumba class has led to a whole new set of friends and acquaintances. I volunteer making meals for homeless people at a local church twice a month, as well.
People also would say that I and my husband love to travel, either short trips to the desert to watch birds and photograph flowers, or taking overseas trips at least once a year.
I think people see me as basically optimistic and contented with my present life and they would be right.
— Oxnard15
I'm smiling! I really like your straightforward writing style.
ReplyDeleteYou are living the perfect life! I just looked at Ojai on Google Earth, so I know! I'm amazed that you didn't drop those committees years ago. Meetings can be dangerously boring! (Macoff)
ReplyDeleteOne of my professors at UCSB lived in Ojai because he believed it was the center of the universe. As a science major, I was skeptical, but I needed a poli-sci class for general Ed requirements. He would probably live in Sedona now.
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