It is the period in which we set out to make sense of all the growth we have already done. It is the softening season when everything in us is meant to achieve its sweetest, richest, most unique self.

“If elders do not make their old age a productive time, they risk wasting a good 25 – 35 percent of their lives. At the same time, they have a responsibility to model this stage of life for those who are younger. One gift of years is the additional time to be of service and to fulfil a life purpose” 

Scripture commands this way Titus 2:4-5 

“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,

to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

This may mean playing a greater role as a co-creator of the world through projects for the general welfare. It may mean exploring ethical choices more deeply and bringing our experiences to bear on the challenges facing our communities. 

A blessing of these years, “is to have the time to complete in ourselves what has been neglected all these years, so that the legacy we leave to others is equal to the full potential within us.” 

Fight over fatigue:

Fatigue is a common problem among older adults, especially after lunch. Having a glass of water and a high-antioxidant food can revitalise the body and stimulate the mind.Care of self is an appropriate goal. The message we sometimes receive from more spiritual sources is that growing older really should not bother us at all. We tell ourselves that truly special women are not concerned with the body’s decline. 

And hear it from other spiritual experts.“Live above it”. It’s only the body and whatever happens to it is unimportant. This attitude is also denial. Being expected to wrap ourselves in spiritual piety while ignoring real issues of ageing makes the challenging journey the second half of life more painful and confusing than its needs to be.