So you are getting older, big deal. You should be rejoicing that being older is a privilege that not all of us have. All one needs to do is consider the alternative. That takes care of all your problems in a hurry, at least for the moment.
So you now have a long life, and hopefully a reasonably good mind that can still think clearly. This presents an obligation - one that I’m not sure I always enjoy; however, as I said before, consider the alternative.
If you are fortunate enough to believe you still have some destiny left in you, you are one of the lucky ones. Believing in a purpose bigger than you is probably one of the keys to good health in old age. Recent studies of consciousness as a force are beginning to suggest that how we think and perceive our purpose in life is pretty much how the brain is going to direct its energy - including working to keep your immune system at peak performance.
So how are you doing? If you still feel there is a purpose to the so-called “golden years” what are you going to do about it? Keep in mind; I am not talking about what makes you comfortable – like loving and caring for grandchildren – or becoming a better golfer or gardener. That is too easy, and besides, we do that naturally, if not always well.
The problem with the type of obligations I am talking about is that they usually ask something of us. In this case, we are asking ourselves to serve some greater purpose. This means work and doing things that interfere with our comfort zone. It also means expanding our current level of consciousness that might force us to give up some treasured beliefs. This is the hardest thing of all – having to change your mind – this is a subject unto itself.
How often are older people reminded of the fact that they are mentally inflexible? Is this really true or is this a club that younger folks use against their elders? They may not do it intentionally, but it is sure convenient for them to do so. If we are constantly wrong, and they are invariably right it leaves us with little credibility. I find this particularly annoying when a younger person that I am clearly smarter than dismisses me because of my age. This leads me to the subject of credibility.
Credibility – this is a key, since maintaining credibility is the only way we get anyone to listen to us. We all earned a living by being an expert at something. This is what goes first when you no longer hold a regular paying job. You cease being an expert, at least in the current sense. You might still have some believability with the history of your work experience, but forget that anyone considers that you have enough current knowledge to have some plausibility.
So what is the key? The answer is the same as it always has been. Retirement pay doesn’t count. That was the past. How much money are you paid for what you currently do? Your answer determines your believability and trustworthiness. Unfortunate – as this may be it is still as true today as it was in your heyday. So what do you do about it?
Easy – become an expert. It is amazing how defining a solution is so much easier than bringing it into being. You have two choices. One is to reestablish your standing in the field you one had some standing, or begin something new. Be careful here – starting over is no easy task. It helps if you have some relationship with your new endeavor with what you did before.
So good luck on your continued journey and never forget the wonderful dilemma of growing older - “ “freedom with attached obligations”.
Brother Giovanni