Rising Tides

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Participating in a monthly meeting of a group of men referred to as “Cultural Practitioners”, I had the privilege to listen to Stan’s informal presentation. Stan recently won a fight with cancer. Although Stan has been pursuing his passion in photography and poetry in his second stage of life, his recent struggle with cancer seems to have unlocked feelings and passions that have spilled over into his creative work. Stan has unlocked the deep chasms of feelings that have remade him as a man and artist.

I’m sure a brush with death would change all of our perspectives. Nevertheless, what struck me about Stan’s presentation is the possibility that pursuing our passions could in the aggregate change the world we live in, and I mean for the better. As men in our second stage of life, we can offer this world much. Gail Sheehy remarks in her book “Understanding Men’s Passages” that research affirms as men get older; their experiences can translate into enhanced empathy and the ability to connect the dots in an increasingly complex world. Translated, older men may be better equipped to be leaders. Marci Alboher in the Encore Career Handbook made a similar conclusion and used the word wisdom to describe this enhanced capability in older men (and women).

If men and women could loosen their myopic focus on achieving material gains, which our society equates with success, and instead focus on following careers steeped in what inspires them, maybe the trajectory of our world would change. Maybe one needs grey hair to have an open mind to accept this possibility. Maybe that’s the gift we can offer as we navigate the Next 32? The calm and inspiration that comes by remaining engaged and doing what inspires us can be shared by all. A rising tide can raise all boats, don’t you think?

#Rising #Tides