The Challenge of Being an Elder
Can you hold paradox?Can you consider that these, believed by many to be the best of times, foretell the worst of times?Can you be aware of a pair of predicaments — your own death and the possibility of the death of our human species?Can you hold these predicaments lightly with a sense of humor?Can you transcend your personal mind-denial and the denial of the culture in which you are embedded?Can you hold the possibility that you are not here accidentally; that you chose to be born at this dangerous and exciting time in order to observe, participate and be-of-service to what you love doing?Can you hold this metaphor: “Though all doors are marked, No Exit, leap upon your steed and ride off with your banner held high and marked, “Engaged!”Will you commit to lead a magnificent life, compassionate, bold and enthusiastic — just because you say so?Will you, my brother, my sister, walk the shore after a high tide and, one-by-one, throw in stranded starfish? And, in the face of the accusation that doing so won’t make any difference, hold up one starfish and smile, “It will make a difference to this one,” Will you be a starfish-thrower?Will you declare upon your death bed: I have loved. I have lived. I have accomplished what I came for.this is the challenge of being an elder in these frightening times.
these words were written by Dr. Harvey Austin. He is a retired plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the author of"Elders Rock! Don’t Just Get Older: Become an Elder". His primary question-to-live-within during these most-dangerous times is, “how do we each live a powerful life of compassion, joy and enthusiasm—regardless of circumstances, including chaos?