January 2025

President's Message

By Richard Myers
Posted: 11/21/2024

Dear Villagers and Friends, 

As I sit and reflect this November, I’m reminded of the powerful lines from the poem Invictus: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” These words have resonated with so many because they speak to the strength of personal agency and the idea that, even amidst challenges, we can still choose our responses.

However, I’m also reminded that, as much as we may try, none of us truly controls our fate. Life can be unpredictable, yet we always have a choice in how we face it. Last month, I spoke about two qualities shared by happy people: agency and gratitude. As Thanksgiving approached, I focused on gratitude. Today, I’d like to explore the power of agency.

Agency means choice, and choice is power. It means that while we may not control what happens to us, we can control how we react and what actions we take. We can choose our attitude each morning and the steps we’ll take to meet the day. These choices are ours, and they have a significant impact on our lives—and, importantly, on the lives of those around us.

At Pasadena Village, we are given an incredible opportunity to exercise this kind of agency. Just by being part of this community, each of us contributes to something greater. We offer companionship, support, and the warmth of shared experiences, creating a village that others can participate in and draw strength from. We also inspire people who may not yet feel able or willing to join us.

Our Village is run by its members, and this gives us even more power to shape it. Participating in an event, joining a committee, serving on the board—each of these is an act of agency that strengthens our community. By doing so, we don’t just support ourselves; we create a legacy of belonging that can impact many others.

One of the most fulfilling things we can do is to help others with challenges they’re facing. Pasadena Village provides numerous ways to do this, allowing us to extend our own sense of agency and purpose. As you go through your day, remember that each choice of attitude and action is a chance to be the captain of your own soul and, perhaps, a source of strength for someone else.

With gratitude for all that you bring to this Village,
Dick Myers, President
Pasadena Village Board of Directors