From Taxation to Art Appreciation
GAB helps retired tax manager discover her true interests

Ms Lim Soo Lan, 56 knew intuitively that she wanted to spend more time pursuing her two passions - writing and educating children about arts upon her retirement.

Her intuition became a strong personal conviction when she started thinking seriously about her life, goals and aspirations as part of the Guided Autobiography programme (GAB) which she had participated as a volunteer with the National Library Board (NLB).

GAB is a structured life review programme designed to help older people recall, organise and share their life experiences with a group. Developed by American gerontologist and psychologist Dr James E Birren more than 20 years ago, it has proven to be effective in helping seniors reconcile and recover meaning from their past history. Trainers from the TSAO Foundation conducted the GAB sessions for participants of the NLB’s Aspiration Pathfinder (AsPI) Movement , a training programme for older people aged 55 to 65.

Caring group support

The experience of talking about one’s life with a group of 10 to 12 people facing similar mid-life transitions helps older people appreciate the value of their lives and past contributions, and clarify direction for the second half of their lives.

Although GAB is not group therapy, the experience itself can be therapeutic. “Sharing with the group helps me to acknowledge that there are parts of my life which are well-lived, and not so well-lived, and then move on by learning from it,” she said.

After ten weeks of weekly GAB sessions, Ms Lim knew where her heart was calling her. “I want to be a contributor to society in the next phase of my life, by sharing my love for art and books with children.”

For the love of art

She now spends her retirement as a volunteer storyteller, dramatising stories to children twice a week at the Toa Payoh Community Library. She also goes to primary schools to talk about art appreciation, and has recently conducted an experiential workshop on art and craft for children.

She said: “I love art. I see myself imparting the love of art to young children. I would not like to see public sculptures and works of art defaced or neglected. If children learn to love art from young, they will learn to appreciate it.”

Daring to dream

The affirmation she receives from her GAB group whom she still meets regularly also motivates her to dare dream dreams. “I am now thinking of writing stories for children,” she disclosed shyly, an idea which would seem incongruous with her past career in taxation.

But she quietly let you on that she had been writing a daily journal since she was nine years old. GAB had led to a resurgence of her past undeveloped interests in art and writing, and this time, the former tax manager is determined to pursue them.

Writing her life story in a 20-page mini autobiography was her first step.