Throughout history, elders in cultures around the world were the ones who were responsible to think about the future, pass on their wisdom, and make critical decisions to positively impact future generations. The best example of this is the Seventh Generation Principle. Native American tribes believe in the idea that “our decisions today should consider the potential benefits or harm that would be felt by seven future generations.”
The Elders was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007 as “an independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet.” The focus of this group is on issues that affect the larger world. It is an external focus where they “work on existential threats to humanity that require a collective response – the climate crisis, pandemics, and nuclear weapons. The Elders also work on conflict, a threat in itself and a risk factor for other threats.”
This generation of “elders” in the developed world is “the longest lived, wealthiest, healthiest, most highly educated, and largest percentage of elder population in history,” says John Izzo, life coach and author of The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die.
Izzo said the critical question for elders is this: How do you want to continue to contribute to the world? We talked about how life after 50 is often no longer about one’s ego, but about how one can contribute in new ways. He described how midlife has been extended in two directions. He coaches people in their 30s and 40s who have made a fortune by starting a business and selling it. Now they are asking questions people usually ask in their 50s and 60s. What am I going to do now that I have made a living? What am I going to do with my energy, time, talent, and treasures?
Work takes on a new definition when we are retired. Work can be viewed as a contribution of skills, talents, and interests. Instead of saying, “I am retired,” I encourage my clients to share their interests, hobbies, and/or passions. Instead of asking people, “What do you do?” I suggest asking, “What are you interested in or involved in at this time?”
How can you channel your wealth, talent, and wisdom to reinvent and solve societal problems? Discover some causes that interest you and get involved. Become a donor to organizations to help them advance their cause. How can you reinvent yourself and help create a better society? This can start by identifying your strengths and interests and becoming a contributor.
Another advantage of this is that this new involvement can also become a new identity—something that is often missing in retirement. There’s a common assumption that as people become older, they get more conservative—protecting what “I” have. We need to think about protecting what “we” have. A purposeful meaning often comes from working on something that benefits others outside of ourself.
As we grow older, turning inward will not help the world or future generations. We need to use our wisdom to open our hearts and turn outward to make the world a better place for all of us.
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