How older people can re-purpose

In traditional India, senior citizens are expected to become dependent upon other family members. But life inside a bubble can be stifling. It tells on their sociability, their mental wellbeing. Under lockdown have not we all found that out? Many elders like me, would like to remain useful to themselves and to others in the years of life remaining.

Starting something new, be it in a career or a fitness programme, can be terrifying when you are older. It seems safer not to step outside the comfort zone and explore. Like penguins. They are superb swimmers, yet they teeter on the edge of the cliff to keep from plunging into the icy, deep blue…The point is the first step out into the unknown is the hardest. And the most crucial.

 

At 60+, I thought to embark upon a new career. But, in attempting to suit action to thought, my feet felt as if they were made of lead. I felt as penguins peering over the edge do - spirit unwilling!

Truth to tell, it is hard to step beyond lifetime learning and experience. I smile when I come across folks that cannot imagine beyond “the way things were” for them at a certain point in time. There is no turning back. Indeed, the ego, the executor of our will, can become the stumbling block to going forward. The young welcome change, the elders abhor it.

The young are unaware of passing time, because their life stretches in front of them. In older age, one is overly conscious of it, and fill with anxiety when things do not fall into place quickly. Youth thrives on negativity; older people shy away from it.

The learning curve, in any avenue, has its own trajectory. It flatlines for a long, long time, then suddenly rears up. I had to unlearn many assumptions, to be ready for change. My mind needed to be clear of fears and distractions.

When we have been through a lifetime of challenges, we are scarred. But we are capable of facing up to adversity. Our soft skills - learning from others, implementing knowledge, active listening, collaboration - help us to adapt to situations. Our attitude can be as tenacious, as unwavering as before, if we keep on purposeful action. And trust that we will succeed again, achieve again, though differently. Older penguins don’t need to learn to swim again, they need new purpose to step off the cliff.

Even if the pathway appears to lead nowhere? “…the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose,” exhorts “Black Panther” Chadwick Boseman, “As you commence to your paths, press on with pride and press on with purpose.”

Get started today. Plan to achieve a new level of Fitness. Or explore a new career in Health & Wellness, helping others to take care of themselves. Send me a message. I can help.

Jharna Sengupta Biswas, Health Coach