What’s the difference between following our passion at 29… and 59?
What does ‘respecting our elders’ mean for us today?
Meet Pippa. She’s 59 next month and while many women nearing 60 may have settled into a comfortable rut, heading for retirement, she’s out there looking for ways to make a difference.
A freelance writer and editor, she’s also heavily involved with the Transition Town and Be The Change movements and is perpetually busy dreaming up, organising and helping hands-on with events. This summer found her in Tibet trekking to 16,500 ft.
I was curious to find out what motivates her to stay so involved when she could be excused for reaching for her slippers and a TV guide…
What inspires you to be so active?
I’ve had a very full life, rich in experience with lots of change and some huge personal challenges so I’ve never developed any expectation of how my life ‘should’ be as I got older. Seeing my mother – who is now 90 – in poor health for many years, makes me all the more determined to be as fit as I can for as long as I can. I’m very committed to a daily kriya yoga and meditation practice, which means I have far more energy for the things that are important to me.
You certainly seem to be passionate about making a difference in the world. What is it that drives you?
Drew Dillinger wrote a poem that begins:
It’s 3.23 in the morning and I’m awake, because my great, great grandchildren won’t let me sleep. My great, great grandchildren ask me in dreams: What did you do while the planet was plundered? What did you do when the earth was unravelling? Surely you did something when the seasons started failing As the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying. Did you fill the streets with protest when democracy was stolen? What did you do, once you knew?Those words haunt me. If I become a grandmother, and perhaps a great-grandmother, how could I face those young people when I’m 90 and their world is falling apart – knowing that I haven’t done whatever I could to raise awareness and inspire people to work towards an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on the planet?
What are your toughest challenges now?
Letting go of self-doubt and a preference for supporting others while staying in the background myself; finding the will and commitment to keep on doing the next thing that needs to be done, without being too tough on myself; keeping a sense of humour and lightness so that people I talk to feel inspired and not beaten up; getting out of my own way so that, in Ghandi’s words, I can BE the change I want to see in the world.
What would you say to a 20-30 year old struggling to find her way?
Get in touch with what really excites and inspires you and then give it everything you’ve got. Make sure you find ways to resource yourself so that you can stay grounded and connected to your purpose. Spiritual connection, in whatever way you find it, is invaluable.
Pippa, and other women like her, challenge the stereotype that at age 60, we’re meant to bow out and ‘retire’ out of involvement. Instead, these women inspire us with their continual dynamism and well-earned wisdom, suggesting to the younger ones among us that perhaps life is just beginning….
The World Needs Your Passion, So…
1) What stereotypes are there about what you should be doing at your age?
2) What do you want to be able to say about your life at age 59 (and 69… 79… 89… 99)?
3) Leave a comment on this blog post, letting us know how you feel about your age. What does it help with? What do you feel it hinders? What inspiration do you draw from people around you of different ages? Who are the elders that YOU respect?
© Corrina Gordon-Barnes, 2009
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Hello,
If ever there was a post that could be appropriate for me, this is it! I am doing a coaching course currently and have come up against my own demons about being 24 and the youngest by a long way in the group of participants. I have felt uncomfortable, like I shouldn’t be there and felt unable to contribute due to my lack of life and coaching experience. Through coaching myself on these issues and reading this post, it reaffirms to me that in order to make the impact I have the desire to, I need to start now, so actually I am very lucky to have discovered something of what I want to do in the world at my stage in life. Pippa sounds like an incredibly inspiring and wonderful lady!
Great piece Corrina, thank you!!
Laura
Pippa looks incredibly vibrant, I couldn’t believe she’s 59 – a great testament to yoga and to being committed to self growth.
Personally I don’t think I would ever “retire”, however, I would like to stop working for other people very soon. I just turned 30 and I feel it’s my time to finally expand my wings and step out to a new experience in 2010 of finally BEcoming the successful entrepreneur I’ve always wanted to be.
Hi Corrina,
I find this post really interesting. I think a lot about my age and the direction I’m heading. I too, like Laura feel very happy to have discovered what I love doing at a young age. I’m 23 and am currently training to be a yoga teacher and I have plans to train later in life as a Coach (just like you!).
Despite being young and feeling happy with my plans, I still feel the need to make every day count and ensure I reach my dreams. I’m certainly not just thinking I’ve got all the time in the world and can sit back!
When I look into the future and see myself at age 80 let’s say, I have visions of being young, fit and healthy then too. I want to be able to stand on my head and run through parks!
You know what, I can’t wait!
x
Wow! What an inspiration Pippa is. If I want to be climbing mountains when I’m 60, I’d better start preparing now! I try to tread lightly on the earth – but maybe that’s not enough anymore.
Thanks for such a positive, uplifting post.
Sue
I guess you’re as old as you feel (as the saying goes). I must admit that (at 52) there is a large part of me that feels no different to how I felt at 22, or 32, or 42 – my internalised self image is essentially the same, so that when I look in the mirror in the morning and see this balding, middle aged bloke looking back at me, I tend to think “Blimey – who’s that?”
Love it! Very inspirational – thank you!
Having passed the 58 year mark quite some years ago, and having observed and met women after menopause, I can say only: This is the greatest time of your life. The world should be ruled by women after menopause. The real things, the world changing things come into close perspective, overview is the new gift and to see the essence of matters. What ever you want to do now, do it. You have the power, although you may not know it
fantastic – really inspiring.
I’m looking forward to being 60 now…
It’s so empowering to hear what sharing even a little bit about me in this way means to others. Thank you.
A friend of my sister’s, Kim, read the blog and wrote: ‘So strange how synchronicity works – as I am nearing a huge crossroad in my life I really need to hear stories like that… I am thinking of going back to uni to do a masters in Ayurvedic Medicine… studying while my boy is still at school for the last three years… many obstacles are in my way… and I just need to keep trusting! Then I read about your sister and I am inspired to tackle the next obstacle.’
Kim, I did a first degree while my two daughters were at primary school. It was tough because I’m a perfectionist, and I had to take a year out, exhausted, after writing my dissertation before I could take my finals, but I did it, and got a 2.1 Hons… which felt like an absolute a triumph, and still does.
Bless you, and speed you on your journey… prepare to amaze yourself with what’s possible!
Hi Pippa
So strange how synchronicity works as I am nearing a crossroad in my life…I am thinking of going back to uni to do a masters at 50…. while my boy is at school for the last three years………many obstacles are in my way……..and I just need to keep trusting! Then I read about you Pippa and I am inspired to tackle the next obstacle, climb that next mountain. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. I am intrigued with watching shared gifts grow; and how easy it is to access this law of the universe.
As I get older I am increasingly humbled by the extraordinary power of women. Particularly those who manage to bring up children (which is a huge contribution in itself) and still have the energy to go further, to expand their horizons and share their gifts of love beyond any comfort zones. We are truly blessed with this inherent gift of love but when we are able to share it and allow it to grow, that surely is the true essence of awakening consciousness.
With Love
Kim xx
ps I would love to read your account of Tibet if you find it
What a great inspiration Pippa is and proof that 59 is the new 39! And just to pick up on a point Terry said about still feeling the same at aged 52 as when he was younger. I feel like that as well. I’m 53 and very fit and active and while there may be a few more wrinkles, inside I don’t feel that I am anywhere near retirement.
In fact I am just about to start a degree course in Psychology with the intention of becoming a chartered psychologist and therapist. I even have a few more courses I want to do after that!
I think your alternative Christmas present is a great idea Corrina. I find that growing as a person and learning something new keeps you young!
Janice Robertson´s last blog ..Alone At Christmas – 10 Tips to Survive (and even enjoy) Being Alone At Christmas
I didn’t write this, but it’s good:
Age is just a question of mind over matter.
If you don’t mind how old you are, then it doesn’t matter!
@Laura – And I’ve seen many people on those courses who feel uncomfortable that they’re ‘too old’ to be there and have too much experience! It seems that age is one of those convenient excuses that our gremilns/saboteurs/inner guardians grab hold of and use to ensure we don’t do what we really want to do. Congratulations to you for being there anyway – I know you’ll be bringing a lot of fantastic energy to that group.
@Denise – My great-aunt never retired, she was still writing books in her 80s and being very involved with various organisations (she was the first female high-court judge in this country, a true inspiration). Like you, I can’t see myself wanting to retire because for me work is a pleasure that I get to do, rather than something I’ve got to do.
@Rosanna – I have absolutely no doubt that you’d be running through parks at age 80 – and beyond! Great point about making every day count, no matter how old we are. We never know how long we have left.
@Sue- I love the energy behind your comment. Perhaps you won’t be treading lightly on the earth, you’ll be climbing and running lightly on the earth
Great to have you part of this discussion.
@Terry – Interesting point about mirrors – being seen by the ‘other’, rather than from within ourselves. I see photos of me with my ever-increasing number of silver hairs and think “Hmm… should I dye that?” and then when I feel that silver part of me from within, it just feels wise and wonderful. Why would I dye that away?!
Corrina´s last blog ..Give It A Rest
@Krista – “The world should be ruled by women after menopause” – I would LOVE to see that world. Perhaps in some ways it already is, from the wisdom that grandmothers and other elder women pass down to us, the stories you share with us about the past and what’s possible for our future. In Transition Town initiatives, which both Pippa and I are involved with, there is the principle of ‘Honouring Our Elders’ which is largely about them sharing with the younger generations their wisdom about how to live in a world less dependent on fossil fuels. Are you involved with one local to you? I’m sure your presence would be hugely valuable to them.
@Bazza – I’d love to know how old you are now… (i.e. whether 60 is a far-off dream or a close and exciting soon-to-be-reality)
@Pippa – Thanks so much for joining us here, and of course for being featured originally. You clearly have inspired people. My mum did her degree with four children at home and that was a great message for me as a teenager – that these decisions I was making about what A Levels to take and what university to go to were not the end of the world decisions. You can take a different path at any point in life – as you say, be prepared to be amazed by what is possible. Thank you (and thank you, Mum!)
@Kim – Thank you for joining this discussion. Crossroads can be intimidating to some people, and enthralling to others. I wish you joy with yours, and with your decision about doing a Masters. I love your ‘There are so many obstacles in my way… AND…’ There’s that great saying: “No-one said it would be easy. They said it would be worth it”. Here’s to you doing what your heart leads you to do, obstacles and all.
@Janice – You clearly have such a thirst for growth and development and my guess is that keeping fit and active physically is helping enhance that mental agility and vitality. How exciting about your degree and all that comes after – I shall continue to watch your journey with a smile and with all good wishes for you and those you serve.
@Catie – Love it! There are simply no rule books about what we’re meant to be doing at what age. There’s that other great quote, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” You are so beautifully young at heart, so wonderfully wise, and such an inspiration of a powerful woman. Thank you for being here.
Corrina´s last blog ..Give It A Rest
‘Wow’ used above is so appropriate. I have known Pippa since the 70′s. Her determination, intelligence, cheerfulness and strength of character all combine to deliver a great quality outlook on life.