With a confidence born from harvesting life experience and a humility that sees service as the natural result of continued inner growth, we find ways to serve everyday. This generosity of spirit elicits joy in human relations while positively benefiting the communities and cultures we serve. Sage-ing International has identified 10 qualities of Sages in Service. We will share stories regularly about Seniors making a difference through service that exemplifies one of the qualities of Sages in Service.
For example–the quality of Deep Listening:
Deep listening is our ability to be
present to another’s story without fixing the problem or judging.
Deep listening is at the core of our service, building relationships and forming community.
From Mary Anne
When I retired from a career in managing nonprofits, dealing daily with the challenges of running an organization, fundraising, advocating for public support, and board development and program planning and implementation, I knew that when I retired I wanted to spend more time one on one with family, friends and others. It was time for me to pass on the organization work to the next generation and focus on one on one relationships.
Within a few years I became involved in the Stephens Ministry program at our church. I went through the ten month training program learning to be an active listener while supporting persons in our community going through difficult and/or challenging times. The goal was not to fix other people’s problems but to support them in working through their issues and finding a way through them.
Learning to practice deep listening in weekly sessions with my care receivers has taught me to be a better listener in all aspects of my life. I have learned the value and the healing power of being heard by another–of deep listening.
