Let's stop raising adults. Raise Elders instead.

Let me introduce the video that you hopefully will choose to view below:

When should we stop trying to make a difference?

Or…

Thoughts on the impact still available to those who might choose eldering as a “Way”

I think none of us who really care about the world ever step into our final phase feeling completely fulfilled. There is always more to be done, more to fix, more impact that can happen. And because of our age and a lifetime of caring, we see needs that others, younger than us, have not fully awoken to.

So it becomes frustrating.

We know we have much to offer and more to do. But our current world does not really revere elders. That is the reality. So, given that reality, we each have to ask ourselves something akin to this question:

“What might be all of the ways that I can use what I have learned to leave as impactful a legacy as circumstances will allow?”

And then act, adaptively and creatively, to the options that come to mind.

In this photo below is a small example. I took it a few weeks ago, as the sun rose over the mountains outside my window, in the middle of writing this piece for you. Look closely and notice the “Heart Banner” between our vehicles. It was given to us by our good friend and consistent action-taker, Gail Brill. We left Saranac Lake in early winter with 12 of them and have been distributing them around the country to those who would find creative ways to fly them in the areas they reside or travel in.

Clearly, the world needs love??and while this small action will not reap huge change, it will have an impact. It is a “Right Action” and my soul insists that I take these actions as they present themselves, and that I do what is needed to be more likely to notice opportunities to act as they float by in my day-to-day.

It is highly unlikely that anyone will drive by on this road, a very gnarly 4WD track known as the “Bitter Springs Back Country Byway”, and see the banner.

But you have seen it.

Sheila Delarm, Julie Harjung and I choose to do this so that each of us might be reminded: amidst the violence, within the pandemic, there is love. There is beauty. Breath it in to for a moment. Still your heart.

Think of someone you know who acts in love for others. Elevate them. Imitate them. Appreciate them. Watch Helen's video below.

In the end, these are our most important acts.

Thank you, Alan Black, for inspiring me to this bit of writing this morning.

Someone once said “Any life well-lived always ends too soon.” I will live my life as well as possible and seek impact -with the full force of my creative spirit - for as long as my mind and body will allow me to. That is my resolve in my “third act” as Newell Eaton describes it, and if I am spared from dementia in my final act, I will live that resolve until the end.

Feel free to share any and all of this. Comment if you have found value.

If you're curious about our insights on how parenting changes when you stop raising kids or raising adults, and start raising elders, take a look at this article (after watching the video below) Raising Elders

Small acts beget big acts. Enjoy Helen's guidance to us all.

I love you.