Posted By James Besser
This Jewish Life: The Future
I know where I am going to be until I am 25 years old.
Last week, I accepted a two-year position at RAC, working full-time on Judicial Nominations-helping the Jewish community and, eventually, the progressive religious community become educated about and more involved with the process. It will begin a week after my year as a Legislative Assistant is finished.
I am quite excited about it. The opportunity to work on Judicial Nominations at the beginning of a new Administration seems impossible to turn down. And the chance to stay at the RAC for a while longer is incredibly appealing.
And selfishly, I am pleased that I finally have an answer to the seemingly-constant question that I get from friends, family, co-workers, and strangers, "So, what's next in your life?" Of course, I have learned that having an answer to this question simply prompts people to say, "And then what do you plan to do after that?" So frustrating. But, at least I have the first part down.
It's exciting, but it's also a bit overwhelming. Sometime I can't believe that I have committed myself to something that will not be over until I am 25. I still feel young enough that 25 should be light years away. But it's not. It's only two years from now.
It's hard for me not to get ahead of myself. My year as a Legislative Assistant doesn't end until August 8th, but recently, I've been thinking about how my fellow LA's will be leaving soon.
And, I have been thinking about my new job. And turning 25. And wondering what I want to accomplish before I turn 30-because I will only have five years post-RAC to accomplish those goals. So, all of a sudden, in my head, 30 is just around the corner.
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes, from Ignazio Silone's Bread and Wine: "Sometimes I am haunted by the thought that we have only one life and that we live it provisionally, waiting in vain for the day when real life will begin. And so life passes by. I assure you that of all the people I know not one lives in the present."
I think I need to remind myself more often not to let life pass by. I have decided that working at the RAC and living in DC are fulfilling enough to warrant my hanging around for a while. So,
I should be taking full advantage of the experiences that I am having here, instead of focusing incessantly on what is coming next.
But, it's easier said than done…