THOMASVILLE — There are a lot of uncertainties that each of us has to face, no matter what our present vocation or station in life. Even for those who are very routine and stable, life sometime throws us a “curve ball” and we have to figure out how to deal with a whole new set of circumstances that we might never have thought nor wished to have to deal with.

I just read an article about Jane Pauley, who was a TV anchor on the “Today” show in the 1980s.  She is still working with NBC, but in a different capacity. In fact, after 13 years hosting “Today” and then “Dateline,” she was ready to do something different, and she has.

Among other things, she is interviewing people over 50 who have “reinvented” themselves (her terminology). For some, it is a second career. For others, it might be doing something to make the world a better place or finding a way to express their creativity.  She considers it her mission to help people find their path in life after 50.

“We can finish that 30-year standard career trajectory and still be young and healthy enough to start a whole new one,” she said.

I can certainly identify with her concept, except I have “reinvented” myself probably half a dozen times over the course of my life.

 Sometimes a new direction would just cross my path and it seemed like the right thing to do.  I always said I had a low boredom factor, so finding new opportunities just sort of came along with the territory.

Even in college, I changed my major three to four times (and they were not even closely related to each other).  I can honestly say life has been full and also very fulfilling, but not without challenges.

For those who have experienced a disability, a job layoff or even just a total dissatisfaction with what they are presently doing, “reinventing” yourself may seem like an insurmountable task.

My advice is to follow your heart. You might be surprised when something that you really enjoy doing turns in to an opportunity to begin a new career, to serve others or just for your own personal enjoyment.  

I admire those who have faithfully had the same vocation all their life and hope that they too will realize that when they do decide to “retire”that they would open their hearts and allow the Lord to speak to them concerning they rest of their lives.

They might find more significance after retirement than they ever thought possible. Nothing saddens me more to see people who are not living up to their fullest potential, whether they are 20 or 50 or 80.

I recently had the privilege of meeting a retired professor in her late eighties,who is still very active in volunteering her time and talents when she could easily just be sitting at home, resting in all that she has accomplished

 She is still healthy, full of life and the desire to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

  Certainly, she has somewhat “reinvented” herself from the days when she was in the classroom, though still impacting the lives of others for their betterment. She is my newest hero.