Most people grasp how crucial it is for children to not miss out on their childhood. But we miss that it’s equally crucial not to miss out on all of life – adolescence, middle age, old age, single life, married life, parenthood, or any other phase. Every stage is an incredible gift that must not be wasted or compromised in any way.

Whether you believe we live one or many lives, it always starts with birth and infancy. Then childhood and so forth. If we are lucky we live a long life, but it is not always possible. In fact, the older we get the lower is the probability of our survival.

This means that old age is a very rare occurrence, whether we live one life or many. If we live one life we may never see old age, or only a few select will. If we live many lives, as I happen to believe that we do, we will see ripe old age in far fewer lifetimes than we will see childhood, the most abundant life phase.

That makes old age very special indeed. But sadly, most of us are too busy being afraid of getting old. So we miss that most beautiful phase of our lives.

Sure, old age has its disadvantages, but every age has its advantages too

That is why we need to enjoy every one of our ages for what they are. The only thing we can do to ensure maximum fulfillment is to follow our Higher Purpose of taking good care of ourselves – body, mind and spirit.

The other day I was watching a movie about a little boy. He was roughly 10 years of age when he escaped from a very oppressive boarding school where his father had left him. The boy had been rejected and abandoned by his father because he was ‘different’.

The boy was impressionable and needed guidance. So he went searching for his estranged grandfather. The old man had been yearning to find him. They finally connect in a charming scene and the grandfather explains to the boy the great legacy of their family and the magic of being who they are.

I found myself is awe as I watched the beauty and purity of this old man providing inspiration and guidance to that little boy.

I had watched similar scenes many times before.  I had always identified with the little boy and wondered what it would be like to be empowered like that.

This time it was different

This time I realized that the beauty of this nurturing moment was made possible by the old grandfather. The kindness and wealth of knowledge and resources that the grandfather offered are the most valuable and beautiful gifts that he could give to that child.

I was overcome with feeling and the vision that it is the grandfather who had the power to make that experience so beautiful for the child. It made me see the incredible beauty of that phase in our lives.

I’m becoming conscious of what an incredible gift it is to be able to give guidance, inspiration and magical imagination to young budding minds. This opportunity is ideally suited for the latter stages of our lives, provided we live long, healthy and happy lives, rich with spirit and knowledge and resources to give meaningfully to the younger generations.

In other words, by following the principles of Higher and becoming the best we can be, we enjoy life to the fullest and become the most valued givers.

This is the first time I’ve seen and felt the real beauty of old age, and appreciated its unique and priceless gifts.

I think most of us live our lives in fear of becoming old

We’re afraid of losing our youth, our health, and all that we love without having any idea what comes next.

But the more I feel connected to the Higher Perspective and being part of a continuum that is good and exciting, the more I can let go of that fear. And that allows me to enjoy every phase of my life to the fullest, and realize that the latter part of this lifetime could be the most exciting part of the ride.

I’m not living there yet, but I feel serenity and joy knowing that, from the glimpses I’ve seen, some of the good things are yet to come.

The following publications have reprinted this article: 

Third Age: Healthy Living for Women + Their Families

SelfGrowth: The Online Self-Improvement Community

New Spirit Journal: Inspiration and Practical Spirituality

New Age Journal: Latest News and Insights for the New Age

Fabulous at 50: Celebrating Baby Boomer Women