Third Agers: What does it mean?
Louis J. Putz, CSC, viewed life as a chain consisting of three links: the age of learning, earning, and returning. The third age represents that period in life when individuals have the opportunity to give back their knowledge, talent, and experience in service to others.
Early in my life, I had a mentor who was the managing partner of a Big Eight accounting firm. In the early 1990s, when I was in my early 40s, we had lunch one January day when he told me he had pancreatic cancer and less than a year to live. He said to me, "You spend your early career all too often working for 'A-holes.' Just remember, by the time you reach your early 50s, be in a position to pick and choose which' A-holes' you want to work for, and select those who will help you flourish by giving back to the world what you have learned."
Similar advice, thoughts, and wisdom come from different sources and individuals.
Look around your organization and your parish, and if you see more "third agers," ask yourself why that is. What are those "third agers" doing to bring wisdom to a younger generation?
How can you help organize "third agers" into dispensers of wisdom by getting involved, perhaps by speaking, writing, podcasting, and/or teaching and coaching? You don't have to lead; you can be like chaplains in YCW, YCS, CFM, and related activities. You can be there to provide wisdom, insights, experiences, and guidance. Sitting in the back of the room or around a table and often just providing that nod or smile is worth a decade of experience.
Louis believed that "service adds years to your life and life to your years" and that "isolation is the greatest malady of older adults."
Mentorship is a powerful tool for guiding individuals in their personal and professional journeys. It's not just about sharing knowledge, but also about inspiring and motivating others to reach their full potential. Knowledge Sharing is a noble act. Whether through teaching, writing, podcasting, or speaking, sharing your accumulated wisdom can empower others and contribute to the growth of our collective knowledge. Philanthropy: Contributing resources such as TIME, which is often the most cherished resource organizations need from us, to causes and communities. Legacy Building: Creating a lasting positive impact through various initiatives. Community Service is not just about volunteering or supporting social causes. It's about making a difference, no matter how small, and contributing to changing the world for the greater good. It's a duty we all share.
Key Questions to ask yourself:
How can I use my resources and skills to benefit others?
What legacy do I want to leave behind? And Why?
What can I do to make Action & Contemplation a seamless garment?
"All genuine learning is active, not passive. It involves the use of the mind, not just the memory. It is a process of discovery, in which the student is the main agent, not the teacher." ~ Mortimer J Adler (Paideia Proposal)