One truth we have received from the large number of seniors who have successfully aged into their 90’s: a certain amount of stress is important for a vital life.  Often, people can choose the stress they take on in an exercise program, a new hobby, extensive travel or college enrollment. Sometimes the stress is foisted on individuals by health problems, changes in our families or finances—matters beyond our control.  The genius of senior wisdom is to learn from the successful examples of turning stress into life-giving wellness and purposeful living.

The methods seniors engage society varies: for some it is intensive work with their families and family friends; for others it is volunteer involvement in community and politics; yet for others it is employment.  Some find intensive satisfaction working in the often intergenerational context of their spiritual communities.

A society that cherishes and recognizes the insights gained by those with the greatest amount of wisdom—often learned from direct experience—can thrive in ways that youth-oriented cultures cannot.  In most traditions of the East and West, the “elder” has been imbued with authority because of the important corrective the elder perspective provides for those who have not experienced life to such a great extent.

SLI encourages people of all ages to take this message seriously:  the well-being and safety of our society depend on how we use the wisdom of those who have aged into their “second retirement.”

Examples of past Presidents provide inspiration for us: what Jimmy Carter has created through Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center may surpass the accomplishment of his presidency.  Likewise, Ronald Reagan’s boldness in declaring to the world he had Alzheimer’s, helped shatter the shameful silence that isolated those struggling with this awful dementia.

You have choices: become involved or to retreat to the unrealistic life of stress-less living.  Before you left active employment, the time clock and paycheck may have been a master of serving you stress.  The important task of aging wisely is to choose the new masters you would take on for the right amount of healthy stress for a vital life.

In this section you will find links to education, volunteer and employment opportunities for seniors.  We look forward to you comments on our discussion board about this topic.