Last week was my first real week of semi-retirement since I have been traveling the last few weeks. It was interesting to observe some inner struggles going on that I am guessing are typical of this kind of transition.
*I found myself falling into former patterns of behavior that were connected to my old job. I literally had to tell myself, "That is not your responsibility any more..."
*I spent a lot of time day-dreaming, unable to focus on my new responsibilities. I am now self-employed and responsible only to myself, a startling concept!
*I was lonely, not surrounded by the familiar faces of work. I am working alone, in between clients, so it is quiet and different than the setting I have worked for the last fifteen years.
None of these things were cause for panic or despair, but they presented some new challenges to me that will be important for this season of work.
1. I have new responsibilities and I need to embrace these.
2. I have new disciplines to establish to sharpen my focus.
3. I have a new environment in which to work and I exercising my creative juices will serve to enhance the setting in which I am working.
It is a new season of life and entering my second week I am reminded that we are always learners--if we choose to be--and that is the challenge to be faced and the opportunity to grow. I am sixty-five years old and the process continues. I welcome it.
Do you...?
Monday, March 4, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
My current website is down for repairs and I am sorry for the inconvenience.
Meanwhile, my counseling hours have increased and I have several openings for life-coaching and counseling Tuesday through Thursday. . I can be contacted at daleabarrett@gmail.com or 209-403-2296.
Coaching and counseling are offered from a Christian biblical perspective. Sessions are fifty-five minutes in length and $85.00 per session. Counseling is done at my office located at 270 Hanford Street, Suite B in Sutter Creek, California.
Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life--life to the full..." John 10:10
Meanwhile, my counseling hours have increased and I have several openings for life-coaching and counseling Tuesday through Thursday. . I can be contacted at daleabarrett@gmail.com or 209-403-2296.
Coaching and counseling are offered from a Christian biblical perspective. Sessions are fifty-five minutes in length and $85.00 per session. Counseling is done at my office located at 270 Hanford Street, Suite B in Sutter Creek, California.
Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life--life to the full..." John 10:10
Monday, February 4, 2013
Forward to Fullness
I am now offically retired from my forty-five years as a pastor. To celebrate I am camped in my trailer at Pismo beach, enjoying the serenity of the ocean, and the rest that comes from separation and contemplation.
Here's what I am discovering in week one...
*I am tired...physically, but mostly emotionally.
*I am still connected to the regimen and routine of my old job.
*I am afraid. How will we make life work?
*I am in the Word--reaffirming the promises of God's Word that I have held out to so many for all of these past years.
*I am grateful for my wife, who is joining the advenure with me.
I am also reading the book, Seven, which presents a challenge to a more simple life. Today we meet with an architect about reshapg a small house on our son's property where we are considering relocation. I have been studying Hebrews 12 which reminds me of God's discipline upon the chidlren He loves. All of this for me is about learning to to with less of what I want and more of what He has in mind for me.
My focal point for life coaching is "Forward to Fullness", the steady pursuit of the fulfillment of God's plan and purpose for my life, "Finishing well" is my motivation.
Here's what I am discovering in week one...
*I am tired...physically, but mostly emotionally.
*I am still connected to the regimen and routine of my old job.
*I am afraid. How will we make life work?
*I am in the Word--reaffirming the promises of God's Word that I have held out to so many for all of these past years.
*I am grateful for my wife, who is joining the advenure with me.
I am also reading the book, Seven, which presents a challenge to a more simple life. Today we meet with an architect about reshapg a small house on our son's property where we are considering relocation. I have been studying Hebrews 12 which reminds me of God's discipline upon the chidlren He loves. All of this for me is about learning to to with less of what I want and more of what He has in mind for me.
My focal point for life coaching is "Forward to Fullness", the steady pursuit of the fulfillment of God's plan and purpose for my life, "Finishing well" is my motivation.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Relocating an office
I have officed at my church for fifteen years--fifteen years of books, files, pictures, Since I am retiring, it all has to be moved.
For the last week I have been sorting through 3000 books with most of my files awaiting my scrutiny. Since I will not be doing what I have been doing for forty-five years, I am trying to determine what books I need to hang on to, and what I can give away, what I can sell what I need to take to the local thrift shop or used book store. Money is not the object but a small return on a large investment would be an unexpected blessing.
A garage sale looms on the horizon--hopefully, people will come and feast on the books I have displayed by subject--and take them home and receive as much enjoyment from them as I did.
Filing is a whole other issue. Shredding personal files is a labor-intensive task--thank God for willing secretaries who have carried the load. I decided that most of my files have no real value to me so the garbage can is being stretched to its capacity. I have hardly made a dent. The task still awaits me. I need to determine what old study materials, marriage seminar notes, sermon outlines, etc. are worth preserving. This requires a discipline to cull though boxes and I am not sure I am up for that.
The pictures on the wall will remain, apart from one my grandmother painted when she was eighty years old and another purchased for me as an antique. The issue here is where will I hang these since we are down-sizing from 2200 to 1200 square feet. Another yet to be faced,
Relocating an office is a physical task but it also has an emotional piece as well. As I left today with my arms loaded with boxes of books and looked at my office for the last time, I felt some sadness. It has been a warm wonderful place to study, counsel, and share with others.
For the last week I have been sorting through 3000 books with most of my files awaiting my scrutiny. Since I will not be doing what I have been doing for forty-five years, I am trying to determine what books I need to hang on to, and what I can give away, what I can sell what I need to take to the local thrift shop or used book store. Money is not the object but a small return on a large investment would be an unexpected blessing.
A garage sale looms on the horizon--hopefully, people will come and feast on the books I have displayed by subject--and take them home and receive as much enjoyment from them as I did.
Filing is a whole other issue. Shredding personal files is a labor-intensive task--thank God for willing secretaries who have carried the load. I decided that most of my files have no real value to me so the garbage can is being stretched to its capacity. I have hardly made a dent. The task still awaits me. I need to determine what old study materials, marriage seminar notes, sermon outlines, etc. are worth preserving. This requires a discipline to cull though boxes and I am not sure I am up for that.
The pictures on the wall will remain, apart from one my grandmother painted when she was eighty years old and another purchased for me as an antique. The issue here is where will I hang these since we are down-sizing from 2200 to 1200 square feet. Another yet to be faced,
Relocating an office is a physical task but it also has an emotional piece as well. As I left today with my arms loaded with boxes of books and looked at my office for the last time, I felt some sadness. It has been a warm wonderful place to study, counsel, and share with others.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Fear in the marketplace
My daughetr is a school teacher and I phoned her yesterday to inquire about the impact of the Newtown massacre on her as she faces returning to her own teaching campus. With all the recent tragedy in public places it's unsettling to think about venturing out into the workplace without a sense of fearful insecurity. She assured me that they had drills and protective regimens in placed but agreed it was probably not enough to stop a person hysterically intent on doing harm.
It would be easy to live in fear as a result of what we observe happening in our world. I remember as a young pastor traveling with a woman who could hardly ride in a car due to the brutal death of her mother in an automobile accident. Her husband had installed safety bars for her to hold on to because it was the only way she would travel. Teachers and students enter campuses in some lcoations where metal detectors are in place to insure no one brings a weapon on campus. Safety drills are hed to anticipate any "what if?" scenario. Still it seems not enough. And it is difficult to not be afraid.
How, then, do we deal with such fear?
As one whi believes in the Biblke there are severak thigns I would affirm as a matter of my fsaith.
1. Fear does not come from God, II Timothy 1:7.
2. Fear has torment, I John 4:18.
3. Fear is countered by renenberiung we are valuable to God, Matthew 10:31.
The 27th Psalm begins with these words, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom sall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?" The Psalm ends with this admonition, "Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage..."
Here's what I take from the Word.
1. Fear is the enemy's way of paralyzing me.
2. Fear is tormenting and punishes me.
3. Fear can only be addressed by understanding God's provision for me as His valuable possession.
This does not mean bad things won't happen in my life nor that I should be careless and wanton in my disregard for danger. Rather, I realize as I child of God I am connected to One who holds my life in His hand and will give me strength and courage no matter what the course my life may take.
As I enter the marketplace I go renewed in the confidence taht i need not be a victim of fear, but I can live knowing God's grace is with me wherever I go, whatever I face.
It would be easy to live in fear as a result of what we observe happening in our world. I remember as a young pastor traveling with a woman who could hardly ride in a car due to the brutal death of her mother in an automobile accident. Her husband had installed safety bars for her to hold on to because it was the only way she would travel. Teachers and students enter campuses in some lcoations where metal detectors are in place to insure no one brings a weapon on campus. Safety drills are hed to anticipate any "what if?" scenario. Still it seems not enough. And it is difficult to not be afraid.
How, then, do we deal with such fear?
As one whi believes in the Biblke there are severak thigns I would affirm as a matter of my fsaith.
1. Fear does not come from God, II Timothy 1:7.
2. Fear has torment, I John 4:18.
3. Fear is countered by renenberiung we are valuable to God, Matthew 10:31.
The 27th Psalm begins with these words, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom sall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?" The Psalm ends with this admonition, "Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage..."
Here's what I take from the Word.
1. Fear is the enemy's way of paralyzing me.
2. Fear is tormenting and punishes me.
3. Fear can only be addressed by understanding God's provision for me as His valuable possession.
This does not mean bad things won't happen in my life nor that I should be careless and wanton in my disregard for danger. Rather, I realize as I child of God I am connected to One who holds my life in His hand and will give me strength and courage no matter what the course my life may take.
As I enter the marketplace I go renewed in the confidence taht i need not be a victim of fear, but I can live knowing God's grace is with me wherever I go, whatever I face.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Inventory
In a few weeks I will be moving out of my office after almost years of files, personal notes, accumulated books,, sermon notes, etc. Part of my job will be to inventory what goes with me...and what goes away..into the garbage.
I'm a keeper so this is an especially tough task for me. I like to remember what I did years ago (and squirm sometimes at the memory) as well as file away what I think I might use again (although the probability is small). How do i go about such a task? It is a daunting one, to be sure, and then given my personal idiosyncrecies, the task seems ovcrwhelming.
Here's a couple of things that will help me moving forward.
1. I have a deadline; in order to transition someone else into my offcie space I need to be done by December 31st.
2. Whatever I want to save I have to take with me...and I'm moving. That in itself creates a need to scrutinize what I have.
3. I have some free time that allows me to focus on the task so that I'm not forced to squeeze it into an already complex list of things to do.
4. I have help. Both my secretary and my wife have volunteered to join me in the task...and my wife is NOT a saver. She'll be a helopful filter.
5. Finally, I know it's time and I'm ready. Let the inventory begin!
On another level year-end inventorys are good for all of us in assessing what we should hang on to and what we need to get rid of. it could be a couple of pounds, an obsessively-busy time schedule, a bad habit, a worn-out excuse for procrastinating, a bad attitude...
And it may be a time, as well, to inventory what needs to be added that is missing--more time for the famsily, personal quiet time, exercise, a new hoibby that provides relaxation from stress, a vacation...finally.
"Inventory" may sound like an onerous task to be dreaded...but it may provide a needed opportunity to discard what is worthless--of not counter-productive--and to add what is desperately needed.
Let the nventory begin!
I'm a keeper so this is an especially tough task for me. I like to remember what I did years ago (and squirm sometimes at the memory) as well as file away what I think I might use again (although the probability is small). How do i go about such a task? It is a daunting one, to be sure, and then given my personal idiosyncrecies, the task seems ovcrwhelming.
Here's a couple of things that will help me moving forward.
1. I have a deadline; in order to transition someone else into my offcie space I need to be done by December 31st.
2. Whatever I want to save I have to take with me...and I'm moving. That in itself creates a need to scrutinize what I have.
3. I have some free time that allows me to focus on the task so that I'm not forced to squeeze it into an already complex list of things to do.
4. I have help. Both my secretary and my wife have volunteered to join me in the task...and my wife is NOT a saver. She'll be a helopful filter.
5. Finally, I know it's time and I'm ready. Let the inventory begin!
On another level year-end inventorys are good for all of us in assessing what we should hang on to and what we need to get rid of. it could be a couple of pounds, an obsessively-busy time schedule, a bad habit, a worn-out excuse for procrastinating, a bad attitude...
And it may be a time, as well, to inventory what needs to be added that is missing--more time for the famsily, personal quiet time, exercise, a new hoibby that provides relaxation from stress, a vacation...finally.
"Inventory" may sound like an onerous task to be dreaded...but it may provide a needed opportunity to discard what is worthless--of not counter-productive--and to add what is desperately needed.
Let the nventory begin!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thanks-living
In his book, GOOD TO GREAT, Collins talks about great leaders effetively serfving the people who work with them. It seems a given to me.
Unfortunately, in much of corporate America we are discovering recurring accounts of company executives and leaders plundering the company's financial assets and leaving their company employees holding the bag for a bleak future.
It is not only the coporate world. We see it in the political arena as well where we discover politicians behaving poorly, disregarding the effects of their self-indulgeent behavior on their constituents and the states and cities they are elected to serve.
And, sadly, even the world I serve in--the church--is hounded and humbled by stories of domineering pasrtors and trusted church leaders forcing their will upon unsuspecting members, boith finanancially, and sexually.
Jesu said to His disciples, "I came not to be served but to serve..." He encouraged them not to do as the pagans who lorded their positions of leadership over their subjects. Accordingly, Jesus demonstrated throughout his eaqrthly ministry a servant's heart, a pattern not forgotten by Peter and Paul in their letters to the early church.
With that in mind, and looking ahead to my final three months as a pastor at the church I have now served for over fifteen years, I am looking for ways to express my love, thanks and appreciation to the people who have been my co-workers and congregants. Hopefully, this is not a new "Dale" they are seeing, but someone who has served them with an attitude of thanksgiving for their faithfulness and participation in the ministry they have shared together.
Thanksgiving season stirs up an appetite for turkey and dressing; but it also stimulates within me a renewed attitude directed towards letting those who are special to me, letting them know how much I love and appreciate them. I hope to write my co-workers and family members in particular in the next few days an expresison of my love and gratitude for what they mean to me.
I hope they won't be surprised, but that my intentional mindset of "thanks-living" will be reflected in thanksgiving.
Unfortunately, in much of corporate America we are discovering recurring accounts of company executives and leaders plundering the company's financial assets and leaving their company employees holding the bag for a bleak future.
It is not only the coporate world. We see it in the political arena as well where we discover politicians behaving poorly, disregarding the effects of their self-indulgeent behavior on their constituents and the states and cities they are elected to serve.
And, sadly, even the world I serve in--the church--is hounded and humbled by stories of domineering pasrtors and trusted church leaders forcing their will upon unsuspecting members, boith finanancially, and sexually.
Jesu said to His disciples, "I came not to be served but to serve..." He encouraged them not to do as the pagans who lorded their positions of leadership over their subjects. Accordingly, Jesus demonstrated throughout his eaqrthly ministry a servant's heart, a pattern not forgotten by Peter and Paul in their letters to the early church.
With that in mind, and looking ahead to my final three months as a pastor at the church I have now served for over fifteen years, I am looking for ways to express my love, thanks and appreciation to the people who have been my co-workers and congregants. Hopefully, this is not a new "Dale" they are seeing, but someone who has served them with an attitude of thanksgiving for their faithfulness and participation in the ministry they have shared together.
Thanksgiving season stirs up an appetite for turkey and dressing; but it also stimulates within me a renewed attitude directed towards letting those who are special to me, letting them know how much I love and appreciate them. I hope to write my co-workers and family members in particular in the next few days an expresison of my love and gratitude for what they mean to me.
I hope they won't be surprised, but that my intentional mindset of "thanks-living" will be reflected in thanksgiving.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)