Youthful or Useful?

From John Silvers

Should I Be Youthful or Useful?

…Baby Boomers get so caught up in trying to feel youthful that they lose sight of the fact that feeling “useful” may be more important in living a well-lived life.

Not long ago, I was talking with a business colleague who was telling me how irrelevant he felt in the workplace and life. He was contemplating what he could do to make himself look younger as if the bodily fountain of youth would solve his problems. After listening patiently to his lamenting, I asked him, “How could you be more useful in the world? Who could use a little bit of your wisdom?” He was a bit flummoxed by this since our wisdom is more intangible than our wrinkles.

From Modern Elder Academy

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To Hayden Carruth

Dear Hayden, when I read your book I was aching

in head, back, heart and mind, and aching

with your aches added to my own, and yet for joy

I read on without stopping, made eager

by your true mastery, wit, sorrow, and joy,

each made true by the others. My reading done,

I swear I am feeling better. Here in Port Royal

I take off my hat to you up there in Munnsville,