Assets of Age
Robert Keegan, now retired professor of education at Harvard, devoted his career to the study of human development. In this short video he concludes by wondering why as a species so many humans live beyond the age of reproduction. He speculates that the wisdom that comes with age may be a resource that later generations can access to resolve the complex existential problems facing our world. See him here explaining his idea…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoasM4cCHBc
Whether he is right or not, it got me thinking about the under-used assets that reside in our third age population. Some years ago when I’d visit my mother in her beautifully appointed village, I would notice the hundreds of years of experience amongst her friends. Somewhat invisible amongst the furnishings and art. Thousands of years of experience across the whole village perhaps. And would wonder how our wider society might benefit. Now, I know experience doesn’t necessarily translate into wisdom, but I felt many of her friends had so much more to contribute.
One, Cynthia, a retired school teacher would have been an excellent mentor for a new teacher entering the profession. Her perspective, drawn from a 40+ year career, could have helped someone starting out. She would have infected her with her our courage, strength and wisdom. So many young people seems to lack these wise voices in their lives. Sadly her health took an unexpected turn shortly after I discussed this with her.
Other friends of my mum, were interested in genealogy, and were active on ancestry.com. I had noticed the increase in interest by younger people in finding lost relatives and wondered how some of mum’s friends could help solve mysteries for fractured families. Was there a possibility of working together on real life puzzles.
My own wife’s grandmother had always been a great listener and comforter who was dearly loved by her children, grand children and great grand children. She was completely non-judgemental, able to listen to anything and be curious. She was a great example of someone who could listen anyone ‘better’. Again I had wondered about how our seniors might be able to support others especially in these times of such confusion and stress. I wish she were still alive.
These were just some examples of how society could benefit from our seniors. We have many problems in society today and I don’t think that we can afford not to tap into the resourcefulness and wisdom of our elders.
Lets get creative.
