The Importance of Work

Work and purpose may be the most essential weapons in our battle against aging.

Why do I use the word “weapon?” Because I believe that the process of aging takes away our lives. It is only a matter of time. But I wish to delay that ultimate reckoning for as long as possible and feel reasonably good. Even so, we battle lethargy and pain that is old and new. We battle memory loss and ghosts of the past. Aging is not a pleasant walk in a garden. To suggest that aging is not what those who are experiencing aging is dead wrong.

As I previously wrote, “community” gives us protection, cares, listens, and is there for us, as we are there for them. That give and take helps us deal with (and even win, for a time) the onslaught of aging. That leads to the even more critical need to “work” or to have “purpose.”

Do not retire your mind or body. We must continue learning, contributing, working, and having purpose daily. I go to my computer and write essays. I compose haikus, write poetry, and read and answer my email. I continue to exercise and hold a workshop each month for an hour. The workshop with my fellow residents helps them to have confidence in their own voices. They learn that simply being old doesn’t take away their power. Continuing to teach benefits me also.

I suggest you burn this into your consciousness: do not retire. Your work is purposeful, and realize this is one of your major weapons against aging.

Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

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