The Treasures of Late Life
At 81, I have intentionally expanded my life, resisting the urge to stick to the same routine as I enter the later years. Doing the same things with the same people every day can lead to a decline in life.
I use technology and Zoom's convenience to connect with new people and explore new ideas. During a recent Zoom call, one of the participants, Jack Williamson, recommended the book The Inner Work of Age, shifting from Role to Soul, by Connie Zwieg. His enthusiasm for the book inspired me to purchase it. I am halfway through the book and incredibly impressed with it, so I want to share some thoughts from it.
Zwieg confronts our mental models around aging, including our fear of it. She beautifully articulates the often overlooked positive aspects of aging with this list of the treasures of late life:
Treasures of Late Life
Releasing the past so that it no longer controls how we feel or act now
Releasing our hurt, anger, resentment, and regret by using emotional repair to reframe relationships
Cultivating a genuine self-acceptance of who we are now which liberates us from our inner critic and empowers us to feel and act with full authenticity
Finding a broader and deeper view of our life stories, which reveals our soul’s mission
Reclaiming our lost creativity and exploring its joyous value today
Creating a quieter mind, which gives us space from negative emotions about aging. Experiencing a deeper identity, which offers freedom from our past roles and responsibilities
Discovering a revitalized energy that opens us to play, beauty, and gratitude Reconnecting with activism and service, which ends isolation and connects us to a kinship community
Choosing a spiritual practice that fits our stage of life and brings rewards to our mental health, brain health, and emotional health
Living with a renewed orientation toward the future that includes our evolutionary purpose and legacy Ultimately, feeling a sense of peace in the face of death
Which one of these resonates with you? Which one have you incorporated into your journey into the second half of life? Which one needs some work?
It would be great to hear your thoughts in the comments. We might start a conversation.