The Magnificence of Being an Elder Woman
For clarity let’s look at the difference between the words ‘elder’ and ‘older’… we certainly use older more often in conversation these days and it comes with a negative connotation defined as ‘no longer young’. Elder however incorporates a sense of respect and the wisdom of lived experience; the dictionary definition being ‘a leader or senior figure’
It would be so easy to slip into the current social expectation and norm of being an older woman… quietly retreating to our armchairs and handing over the baton to our younger generation. Is this the easy option? Complying with the norm but also giving up on life, resigned to the inevitability of the end.
OR and this is a big or, we can embrace our lived wisdom and experience knowing that we have so much to offer/give back and actually have a responsibility to support and guide others. For us it has been the opposite of the beginning of the end, more so the emergence of a whole new cycle in our lives… not in avoidance of death but in the commitment to live in full right up to our last breathe.
Question: do you have to be old to be an elder? For many the quality of being an elder does come with age as we embody the learning life offers and are humbled and inspired, but age is not a prerequisite for being an elder because for many they embrace the quiet, steady wisdom that is innate in us all from a young age and do not get caught in the belief that wisdom is an acquisition through education.
So are we tapping into the fact that being an elder is an innate quality that is expressed in the commitment and dedication to a certain way of living that has purpose and the serving of humanity at its core?
So how do we come to be an elder rather than an older?
Appreciating our journey through life, all of it, challenges, pitfalls and all, knowing that our choices bring us to the point we are in each moment; the accumulation of the wealth of lived experience and a willingness to be humbled by the forever learning on offer
Accepting the many cycles in life and the purpose and beauty of each one of these
Embracing the responsibility we have to live in a way (taking care of our health and well-being and staying active and engaged in our communities) which reflects to others that ageing is a joyful and purposeful stage of our lives
Letting go of ideals and beliefs about how things should look/be; relinquishing the pressure of social expectation and living with the simplicity and appreciation of our natural qualities and those of others
Realizing and enjoying how much we love people and that this is not confined to our ‘blood’ family, but actually expands and extends out to all of humanity the more we allow it.
We would have loved to have ‘known’ all this when we were younger, but one of the greatest wisdoms is ‘no regrets’, so now, simply loving the unfolding, the endless opportunities that every day offers and the chance to give back the magic we have received.
