10 | JULY 13 • 2023 

PURELY COMMENTARY

guest column

JSL and ‘The Power of Purpose’
W

e named the theme 
for this year’s 
Jewish Senior 
Life (JSL) Annual Meeting 
The Power of Purpose. What 
do we mean by 
The Power of 
Purpose? At JSL, 
it’s when staff 
and residents 
are engaged 
in meaningful 
activities that 
allow our minds, 
bodies and souls to connect 
to each other and the world in 
really important ways. 
 Everyone needs a reason to 
get up in the morning, a job to 
earn a living, a pet that needs 
walking, a spouse, a parent or 
children who need care. We 
can’t forget to take time and 
care for ourselves. At times, 
we all consider what our pur-
pose is. Just do something!
It turns out, purpose is 
extremely important to our 
physical, mental and emotion-
al health. It’s that big. That 
makes it important for each of 
us to take the time and make 
the effort to discover our 
purpose. Researcher William 

Damon, who wrote A Path 
to Purpose, says it’s “a stable 
and generalized intention to 
accomplish something that is 
at the same time meaningful 
to the self and consequential 
for the world beyond the self.” 
Damon says that “meaning-
ful intention can help us stay 
focused on the things that mat-
ter most — like family, friends, 
faith, career, a cause and even 
more.” It helps us to prioritize 
our lives — allowing us to walk 
away from certain people or 
activities that don’t serve our 
purpose. It’s a main driver to 
stay motivated when things get 
tough, so we can set and meet 
short and long-term goals. And 
maybe most of all, it makes us 
feel like we are making a posi-
tive difference in the world.
I often see the JSL campus 
residents who are dog owners 
dutifully walking them out-
doors year-round, in all kinds 
of weather. Near my office, sev-
eral geese families have taken 
up residence in our natural 
areas, walking their goslings. 
Sometimes I can see the smiles 
in the eyes of human and even 
in animal faces.

The things that make rela-
tionships and activity pur-
poseful are different for every-
one. It could be our work, 
learning a new skill, mean-
ingful volunteer experiences, 
doing something physical 
outdoors, reading or engaging 
in the arts. These activities are 
satisfying. The feeling of mak-
ing a difference leads to good 
health and longevity.

BUILDING SELF-WORTH
We are called upon to take care 
of ourselves and each other. 
Activities build our sense of 
self-worth and give us a rea-
son to live. Spending time 
on an activity we enjoy can 
improve our mental health and 
well-being. In fact, people with 
hobbies may be less likely to 
experience stress, low moods 
and depression symptoms. 
 Activities that get us out of 
our homes can make us feel 
happier and more relaxed. 
Group activities like a family 
game night, team sports or 
puzzles with friends, even 
solving the New York Times’ 
Spelling Bee puzzle, all can 
improve our relationships with 

others and make us happier 
and healthier. Time shared 
with others is health food for 
the soul.
The staff at JSL are busy, 
helpful, often exhausted. But 
they are satisfied. This comes 
from having something regu-
lar and life-affirming work to 
do, connecting and working 
with others, and feeling good 
about contributing and mak-
ing a difference. Whatever our 
interests are, there is sure to be 
something out there to do. 
What matters is that it’s an 
activity we find meaningful 
and enjoyable. It might take 
time to find the right one, but 
it’s important to start. Just do 
something purposeful.
Meaningful intention can 
help us stay focused on the 
things that matter most. And 
maybe most of all, it makes 
us feel like we are making a 
difference — working toward 
tikkun olam — repairing the 
world. 

Jo Strausz Rosen is executive director 

of development at Jewish Senior Life. 

This article first appeared in the JSL 

Shabbat Shalom Weekly News and 

Updates Newsletter.

Jo Strausz 
Rosen 

Hechtman resident, Peggy, with her pup, 
Kirby, who brings her great joy and ensures 
she stays active walking him and caring for 
all of his needs. 

JSL Dream 
Cruise

