Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Recent Posts

About

Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Day 34 – Retiring vs. Quitting

"There's one thing I always wanted to do before I quit…and that is to retire." Groucho Marx in the movie "Animal Crackers" (1930)


Groucho - animal crackers   For decades, I thought that anyone who wanted to retire must not like their job. I was wrong. As the founding president of Baptist Healing Trust, I have loved leading the organization for all of its eight years. We have benefited hundreds of charities and, accordingly, the thousands of vulnerable people those charities serve.

   But, there's something else I want to do before I "quit" the work of this world. It is to focus my energy on a few things (in addition to family) rather than to spread my energy on the many charities I've been involved in serving. So I retired from my structured job to be free to do three things: advise hospitals and hospices on how to build cultures of loving care, serve as a minister to prisoners, and focus on film-making.

   So many people "quit" while they are still working. Sadly, many caregivers spend their work lives yearning for retirement. When it comes (if they live that long) they often aren't sure what to do. This is because, different from Groucho, they quit before they retired, thus robbing themselves (as well as their employers) of their work's joys.

   So many of you have offered incredibly kind comments about the Journal and about my role in it over the past three and a half years. Some jumped to the conclusion that I was quiting as well as retiring. Instead, I am honored to be able to continue the Journal and to have Liz Wessel's help as I do this.

   Thanks to all of you. Your kindness in being open to what is offered here is the reason the Journal was created. Liz and I will look forward to your continued support.

-Erie Chapman

  

  

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4 responses to “Day 34 – Retiring vs. Quitting”

  1. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    I can’t help but smile when I think of Groucho Marx!
    The Light of your spirit coupled with your creative energy is boundless. Wishing you joy as you live your unique way of Love.
    You touch upon something beautiful for each of us to remember… joy is in discovering. I am learning that is not so much what we “do” but more about “being” present to myself, others, life, and to become aware of how we choose to perceive, receive or resist, respond or react. How easy these words are to say, yet how hard they are to live. Your Journal reflection brings them alive in my consciousness with a desire to live this day in gratitude. This is the joyful gift of the Journal as we encourage one another to “live Love, not fear.” Thank you, Erie!

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  2. Karen York Avatar
    Karen York

    It’s about continuting the conversatation with yourself about your own journey. It’s not about reaching a destination, but discovering who you are along the way. The difficulty is in getting stuck in the rut of accomplishments rather than focusing on what brings us alive.

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  3. Victoria Facey Avatar
    Victoria Facey

    Funny how you state the term “quit”. Most often I identify this word with giving up, having had all I can take, and being at the end of my rope. In other words, out of my hands = ready to quit. But I believe in doing a day’s work and I want be engaged!
    How does this relate to you and the Journal? Why there are times when I am ready to quit, then I find a story, a post, or food for thought that lets me know things aren’t as bad as they seem; that there’s something bigger to put my energy into than I thought and there you are!
    Thank you for being here!

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  4. Marie Ma Avatar
    Marie Ma

    “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us” Albert Schweitzer
    Thank you Rev. Erie for all of your heart rendering contributions on the Journal. There are many times warm spiritual hugs can keep refocussing us when we may feel harried or stressed to a breaking point.
    Your reflections and quiet illuminations have been a welcoming beacon for many. I thank Liz Wessel for sharing the Journal with me. I have been catching up on some of your past writings as well. I look forward to Liz being a weekly contibutor on a regular basis as well.
    Bless you and all that you do for so many..Rev. Erie.. I thank God that we have wonderful people like yourself in place to provide evocative and ethical discussions for clients and their families and to embrace so many with spiritual encouragment.
    Best wishes for your continued journey,,your words of enouragement are enlightening to so many of us!
    Marie Murphy

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