Transitions

The independent man, embracing the solo walk. Exercising personal agency, a sign of his strength and conviction to stare down those who dare get in his way. He wears this persona with pride, scoffing at the less strong, the weak. As you age, the path you journey on changes. The feverish pace you kept during parenting and career development subsides. New challenges stand before you, challenges of the soul, not the ego. Although your independence and convictions remain fuels to your travels, loneliness begins to invade your psyche. The singular walk no longer suffices. You need empathy and understanding to steady you as your legs begin to wobble from the onslaught of life changes.

Loss of parents, kids leave, career endings in clear sight, deaths of colleagues, global pandemics. What was once a strength becomes the Achilles heal for a man trying to find a way forward. Agency and individualism are insufficient to delve into life’s new challenges. The strong man suddenly realizes that he needs a soft voice in his ear, a voice that applauds his journey and offers a shoulder to steady himself when footing becomes a challenge. He doesn’t seek dependence, rather he needs assurance that he is not alone. He needs reminders that his journey is an honorable pursuit, a signature of a man that will never give up.

As men enter this stage in life, they are reminded of the importance of close friends and supporting, understanding families. This is not a sign of weakness, rather a reminder that the unique challenges facing older men requires more than a solo walk. It requires fans in the bleachers to cheer you along the way.