Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), thought to be the first existential philosopher, noted, "Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.” As elders we have the opportunity, indeed the task, to both look back and live forward.
To look again at the extent of our decades is a privilege as well. We who have lived into our 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s have the long view to see the pathway of our lives. We can see the roads and streets and trails of our individual lives embedded into the map of history. We have been affected by war and pandemic, social change and cultural shifts — those we might abhor and those in which we rejoice. We have grown and we have changed on all levels of our being.
Importantly, we have the opportunity to make our voices heard, to share what we have learned. With any luck those lessons have transformed into wisdom, making our road easier to navigate and creating a smoother journey for those around us.
We also have the opportunity to repair some of the hurts we have lived, both those we have inflicted and those we have experienced. Mending the pot holes in the road takes slow, thoughtful work, demanding discernment and care on our part. To look once more at these events can bring again the feelings of shame, guilt and pain. They can also bring the joy of forgiveness, tender release and greater internal freedom. This reconditioning restores the beauty of our lives.
To live forward we step into the strength of awareness, the open path of possibility. We cannot know what lies ahead, though we can imagine, envision and prepare. We cannot control even the next moment, though we can live with mindful responsiveness to it. This state of consciousness enlivens each day with internal energy. Regardless of what arises in that next moment we can be open and receive it with the knowledge of the past and the wisdom we are now.
We have looked back, learned from the past.
We look forward, embracing the riches of life.