This post is a continuation of a couple of weeks ago where I tell you about the labels I have put on myself during my life. Some were beneficial and some were not. If you missed the first post click here.

In 1986, just before my 40th birthday I labelled myself a married man. Just as I had completely given up on the idea of having someone as a permanent part of my life I had a quick date with someone who seemed to understand me. We dated for four months and then married. Looking back, I probably should have waited longer as I later found out we had very little in common. They say opposites attract, and we have proven to be opposites. When I did dream of the impossibility of finding a mate it was always someone who saw life as I did and supported my dreams. That just didn’t happen. Instead, I found someone who constantly challenged me. In some ways that is a good thing, but just not what I dreamed.

It was during this same time that I gave “church” a second chance and labelled myself an Evangelical Lutheran. This new religious label casually lasted for 25 years before I was eventually kicked out for asking the wrong questions.

I labelled myself a deaf person at the age of forty-two. It was a hard label to accept but it was a reality. I lost that last sliver of hearing that kept me attached to the hearing world.

My Senior Years

After thirty years in corporate life I retired at the age of 54. It was a forced retirement due to downsizing but I welcomed it as I was ready to go on to what I thought were the senior years. I would discover that this third trimester of life would be the most fulfilling time for me, but they didn’t start out as I expected. For almost a year I rambled around trying to figure out what I was supposed to do now. I ended up starting a woodworking shop and continued that with some success for six years before finally labelled myself retired.

In the twenty years since being retired, I have discovered so many things about myself. My time was my own to be used as I wanted. When I finally recognized that fact things changed. Here are a few of the labels I have attached to myself during these years:

A Homeless Shelter/Soup Kitchen volunteer

I spent 12 years volunteering in a soup kitchen. These were the most satisfying times of my life.

A Blogger

I started my first blog in 2008 and haven’t looked back. I currently maintain four active blogs. It was during this time that I established my mantra which is shown to the right. It is proudly displayed on the header of this, my main blog. I often spend seemingly endless hours a day working on my blogging activity and following my life mantra.

A Follower of the Teachings of Jesus

After a strenuous six-year period of studying the Bible and looking at the establishments that carry the Christian name, I accepted the fact that I no longer wanted to label myself “Christian”. The name has been tarnished so much that I attached this new label to my spiritual life. It is not that I don’t believe in God, but more like I don’t accept all the thoughts of the theologians who came after his life. If you want to learn more about that you might want to take a look at my blog RedLetterLiving.net

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Lessons Learned

It is inevitable that others put labels on us, and we too often do the same. Some labels help us show the world who we are but some also stifle what we may be able to accomplish. Keep the good and throw away the bad ones. 🤓😆