A for Agency

Welcome to 2026. Let's begin the year with the first letter of the alphabet. I've been thinking about and using this word quite a bit recently: agency.

There are two Oxford Dictionary definitions for the noun agency. One is "a business or organization established to provide a particular service, typically one that involves organizing transactions between two other parties." The other is "action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect" Similar words, not exactly synonyms IMHO, include action, activity, effect, influence and force.

Because I like to play with words, let's explore a little more. In Norwegian, "byra" is the word for "agency." Agency, organization, byra, bureau, all cover the definition of agency in which a business or organization, whether governmental or not, provides a particular service. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, for instance, ostensibly functions to provide data on labor related economic statistics. In Norway, the NAV (Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration) is the byra that administers labor and welfare services, including unemployment, social assistance and pensions. My little business functions to provide life and death transitional healing and support- physical, emotional and spiritual. I provide some action or agency via services to aid in particular circumstances.

The second definition of agency is that of action itself, conducted by an organization, or by an individual. It is this individual agency that has been on my mind, and which I have been talking about with others- many of whom feel they have little or no agency in their own lives.

There are some things we cannot control. No matter how much yakking at someone we may do, we can't really force a person to, for instance, get more exercise or stop smoking. The individual must make that decision. There are some things about our own lives we cannot control. We can be the most fit, best nourished, and least stressed member of the family or of our social group, and still end up with a malignant tumor. Sorry, it's just the facts. That does not mean we should not try to be our healthiest, and that certainly may help cushion us against physical or mental health blows in our lives- or at least make us feel better, more vibrant, and actually more in control of our lives- because we are taking control in ways we can.

That is agency. No matter how awful our lives feel, what sort of blow comes our way that forces a transition into new territory- for example death of a loved one or diagnosis with a terminal illness- we can take steps to navigate, perhaps with the assistance of another person, an agent who will also take action on our behalf while we are overwhelmed, or a business or organization, an agency that has the capacity to provide resources or direct assistance.

In my work I encounter overwhelmed people regularly. Some are living through the grief of losing a long-time partner, a child, a job. Some are trying to figure out how to make sure they will be covered by health insurance in the new year. Some feel their parents or friends have disregarded them in times of emotional unbalance. Some are looking around their houses and wondering what to do with all their stuff so they can move around the premises with newfound limited mobility. Some are grappling with memory loss that feels crippling to their daily lives. The circumstances change, but fundamentally, the ability to effect some decisions, to take some action for their own health or betterment exist.

In times of profound transition, it can be wise to employ- meaning put to work or empower- an agent you trust, or an agency that can help. But it is also imperative that while, when and where you have the ability, you make informed and thoughtful decisions and take actions for yourself, for your own physical, mental and spiritual well being. Get connected with others, but stay connected with yourself.

We cannot control some things. But we can have agency in our own lives. And we should as long as we can- out of respect for ourselves, our loved ones, and for those agents and agencies that are on our team.