Elderhood is more than a stage of life—it is a profound progression of self and purpose. In a world that often rushes forward without pause, the wisdom of elders is a guiding light, offering a deep connection to what truly matters: meaning, relationships to self, others, nature and life itself.
Elderhood is not defined by age alone; it is a calling, a commitment to embody wisdom, compassion, and presence. It’s about stepping into a role where our experiences, insights, and values contribute to the collective well-being of our community and beyond.
The journey into elderhood invites us to reflect on the lives lived, embrace the lessons learned, and discover new ways to grow and give. Being an Elder to me means having the ability to dance with the old and the new, being aware of what serves and what needs to be let go of completely or at least be changed. This is about shaping the future with intention and care because they understand that the heart has to lead the way.
Our world is at a crossroads. As society faces unprecedented challenges—climate change, social unrest, and rapid technological shifts—elders hold a vital role as stewards of wisdom and unity. This is where my favorite quote of Albert Einstein comes in:
"We can not solve a problem from the same kind of thinking
we used when we created it."
Elders have had enough life experience that their thinking can have grown beyond that original thinking.
The Road to Elderhood leads to an awakening that includes knowing
- how destructive judgment is,
- how much our Shadow rules our life unless we befriend it,
- how much fixed beliefs limit our capacity to become who we truly are, our spiritual self beyond the human self,
- how much we are connected with other people we don't even know, with Nature, with the Earth, the Universe and All That Is
The path of elderhood calls for courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to show up for others. Elders can foster intergenerational collaboration, act as mentors, and anchor the values of cooperation, diversity, and inclusivity.
The Road to Elderhood offers tools, insights, and inspiration for stepping into this vital role. Together, we’ll explore:
- Rediscovering Purpose: How to align your inner values with meaningful contributions.
- Embracing Change: Insights into navigating transitions and adapting to a changing world.
- Fostering Connection: Building relationships that bridge generations and celebrate diversity.
- Cultivating Presence: Developing the mindfulness and wisdom that elderhood uniquely offers.
There are two questions I have to ask and there are no wrong answers; just you getting clear for yourself:
- What kind of world are you dreaming of?
- What would need to change and how does this relate to the awakening I talked about above?
Write them down and re-visit them from time to time.
There are several ways for you to go onto this journey to Elderhood with me:
- Individually
- as part of a group
- on a retreat
"I can always count on Corinna to ask the questions that go deep and shift things for me."
Lorindra F., Elder
An elder is connected to self, society and Spirit. There are some 'way stations' everyone has to visit and others that are specific for an individual or small group. Here are some of the more common ones on a personal level:
- being fully present
- listening skills
- befriending the Shadow
- healing traumas
- examining beliefs
We have to move from Humanity 1.0 with competition, mono-culture and judgment to Humanity 2.0 with collaboration, appreciation of diversity and allowance. You may hear me using other words such as from greed to generosity, from separation to equality, or from selfishness to love. Overall, it is time to move from survival to thrival. How much can life experiences contribute to this movement.
Being connected to our soul is the foundation that allows an elder, a person, to have a vision for the future and live from love, unconditional love. That love has nothing to do with our romantic interpretation of love. It knows boundaries, it knows truly loving oneself is not selfish.