Paula posted this essay yesterday and I''ve been thinking about it all day. With her permission I'm glad to share it.
Taking a knee?
No, I'm not talking about kneeling in prayer! Not being a sports fan, I had never heard this "taking a knee" term until our youth pastor brought it up in a sermon a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, it is a football term (and sometimes used in soccer) to refer to a play where sometimes the quarterback after the snap simply drops to one knee and hangs onto the ball rather than running. This is done when they are ahead a lot or unable to score before the half. So in order to not risk injury or fumbling and the other team recovering the ball, they simply "take a knee" and let the clock run out.
So...since then I've evaluated whether in my life at this
Today on a secular forum someone suggested that older workers often seemed "tired" or "burned out." Which could just reflect how they feel about their
Do you think most older people are "taking a knee" now in life? Do you think you are?
This is something I think about often. Am I too old to write a book, take on a new job, learn a new skill? Am I "taking a knee" and just doing what's familiar and comfortable? I don't think so, but it is something I am concerned about.
Dear gentle readers, I am interested in your thoughts, whether you are 50+ or 50-.
Wishes for a great week ahead!
6 comments
Very interesting to think about.
I think that some people are and some people aren't on their knee. It could almost be a character trait - from early on.
On the other hand - sometimes there is a time to be on the knee and at other times there is a time not to be on the knees. The important thing is to discern which is which.
Lack of self confidence and a host of other reasons, are why people do take a knee in their life journeys.
Me? I just finished my novel, working on getting most of those words out of it that I didn't realize I even put in it. To be continued. :)
I think the enthusiasm with which you've embraced blogging means you're not "taking a knee" in life. Perhaps in your job just based on the years you've been in it (as Paula suggests) you've spent some time on a knee, but I doubt it's permanent. I think you can also look at "taking a knee" in a different light. The quarterback doesn't want to get injured when it won't advance his cause, so he takes a moment to protect himself and his team so he's well to fight another day. It can be a message of self-preservation. The idea of living to fight another day. A fine line, I'm sure, but a distinction.
I think of the Browning lines "Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first is made..." I feel like 50 years of living has surely taken me to the top of my game is some area! I recently read a book called "Second Calling" by Bourke which talks about a new chapter in our life as we reach the freedom found in middle age.
By the way: I linked to your blog today. Thanks for always keeping it interesting and upbeat.
Nothing wrong with doing what is familiar and comfortable, as that's what makes this world continue. I think "taking a knee" can be viewed, in terms of a person's working life, as not stagnating, but as being at a point where the skills learned and honed in all the years before are finally at a peak and need little adjusting.
I doubt many older people are "taking a knee" in other avenues by choice. Instead, I think perhaps the anti-age message of this culture plays a role in putting doubts about being "too old" in their minds.
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was," asked Satchel Paige!!!
Interesting subject--yes I think a lot of people do "take a knee." I feel like I've been gently nudged out of my comfort zone, though, every time I try to wedge myself in. I don't think God is thrilled when we just stay in our comfort zone.
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