If you weren’t born yesterday and you haven’t been hanging out with Rip Van Winkle in Sleepy Hollow, then you know we are in a time unlike any before it. In fact, according to a number of experts, one of the reasons this is such a unique time is that, in addition to the other substantial challenges we face, we are also dealing with the ‘graying’ of our population. Increasing longevity, decreasing birth rates and a shrinking tax base are just a few of the startling impacts this demographic revolution will have for every American and, most immediately, for those of us who are older GenXers (40 to 45), Boomers (46 to 64) and Elders (65+).
Many of these experts also agree that the choices we make today in addressing this demographic revolution – one that will eventually see 50% of our population over 50 for the first time in history – will impact not only the 150 million of us who are or soon will soon fall into this category. It will impact everyone in this country for decades to come.
Of course, since we have not always done such a stellar job of addressing other critical challenges, it is not surprising that many in government, our institutions, businesses and a large number of us in the general public are uninformed on the implications of this demographic revolution and unprepared for both the consequences and remarkable opportunities that lie ahead.
To be fair, part of the problem lies in the fact that as a species we’ve never been in this place before. There is no blueprint or script that describes what billions of us are supposed to do with this additional time we will inherit. Surely there must be some purpose in the grand design other than leisure-time activities – something of genuine consequence that requires the wisdom and experience and the presence of such an inordinately large number of elders on the planet at this time.
We believe there is a purpose. In fact, we believe those of us who are 50 and older have come to the end of the territory described in Acts One (Youth) and Two (Maturity) of the Human Drama and we must now write a new Third Act.
How do we do this? Stop buying into the “Myth of Youth” that dominates our society. Remember who we are, what we know, what we have accomplished and what we still have plenty of fuel in the tank to do. Realize we have not come here to dance to someone else’s tune, allow others to make critical decisions about our lives without us. Instead we have come here to get in touch with the unique dreams each of us came here to accomplish and to stay involved in determining our own future.
Yes, this is our time to define new pathways and priorities, identify new uses for our resources, talents and time and get up on our feet and sing those remarkable and unique notes in the Great Song of Life that we and only we can sing.
It’s time we use our time to make right our relationship with ourselves, with those we love and with the world around us. This means honoring our own wisdom and experience and contributing this valuable gift as our legacy to those who will come after us.
This is one of the reasons we’ve created AgeNation, write our books and why we are co-hosting the Navigating Your Future – Wisdom Series at Celebration Hall at the Center for Spiritual Living in Seattle, May through November. Six weekends features nine wisdom-keepers, all best-selling authors with inspiration, insights and practical suggestions to help you make the best of your life.
For more information about Navigating Your Future, call 206-527-8801 or visit http://www.spiritualliving.org/navigating
George & Sedena Cappannelli are co-authors of “Do Not Go Quietly, A Guide To Living Consciously” and “Aging Wisely For People Who Weren’t Born Yesterday” and co-founders of AgeNation, a digital media company dedicated to informing, inspiring and engaging Boomers and elders. Their other books include “Say Yes To Change, Authenticity” and “The Best is Yet To Be.” For information visit http://www.AgeNation.com
