How I Became Twenty-Five Again
With nearly twenty years on the job, I was riding a wave of job satisfaction. My unique assignment was to be a visionary coordinator for security systems and design. I brought my unique perspective as a police officer to the table. I was in a position of influence to positively affect the safety and well being of a community of many tens of thousands of individuals. I was surrounded by an outstanding team of experts from various fields. Seeking after and using leading edge technology we came together to integrate resources for the creation of safer environments.
I was caught totally off guard when an unexpected email notice of transfers was sent department wide. I was on the list. My level of dedication to my assignment found me in shock. The reality sank in and it was apparent that it was time to be grateful for my accomplishments and prepare to move forward. I was blessed to still have a job, which gave me time to reflect and mature. After a year contemplating, I felt prompted to prepare for a change, to discover a new direction. This took some time, I had some learning and growing to do to prepare for a change.
A friend asked me what I was going to do. My mind and feelings transported me back to a specific moment over three decades prior. I was taking a break by a fountain outside the Taggart Student Center, about to graduate from college. I compared the feeling of an unknown future from then to the feeling now. I responded to my friend with a sort of an epiphany,
“I feel like I’m twenty-five again!”
There was so much to learn to be twenty-five. Living and working in a college environment, even as I grew older, I had the good fortune to be surrounded by mentors. Many worked for me as student employees. Most of them considered me to be a mentor to them, but I was also watching and learning. They were also mentors to each other. I have seen my former employees move on after college to be educators, doctors, dentists, authors, children’s authors, military commanders and specialists, engineers, entrepreneurs, attorneys, law enforcement officers, tradesmen, etc.
Do Things Together, or Just Hang Out
Since I now considered myself in “twenty-five mode,” I spent more time watching, listening and observing. I seek opportunities to spend more time with them. I hike with them, snowshoe, lift weights. I even paired up with a friend to teach a paraplegic to swim after his devastating accident. The paraplegic continues to be an inspiration for me. One of my favorite mentors was studying exercise science. He watched me carefully in the gym to help me improve my form. He would sometimes yell from across they gym, “Wayne you’re doing that wrong!” I felt accepted knowing that he was really looking out for me.
I took a lot of lunch opportunities, volunteered with them, attended their sporting events, and their musical performances. I listened to them as they laid out their plans. I listened as they shared their relationship challenges. I studied and researched with them.
In many cases all they needed was for someone to listen to them as they formulated their learning. I still listen to them share their disappointments and struggles and crises from their present or their past, and fears and aspirations for the future. I am especially inspired when I watch them learn from each other.
I continue in this learning process, and so can you. The best mentoring I receive from others is when I support them in their goals and aspirations. I have learned to envision them living their dreams and fulfilling vital roles in the world and in their own lives.
In my twenty-five mode, the whole world lies ahead of me.
