Eldering Defined

Eldering is transforming our experience of growing older.
How we view the world and what’s happening affects our choices and our experience of life. Many people anticipate later life will be all about loss, decline, lack of purpose and resignation. It doesn’t have to be that way. Eldering is about changing our perspective so we can experience growing older in a way that allows us to have the rest of our lives be the best of our lives—filled with love, health, happiness, creative self-expression and being valued to the end.

Eldering is relating to people of all ages with respect and dignity.
Who a person is as a human being is more important than their race, creed, color or age. Eldering calls us to transcend age in our relationships with others and to be willing to listen for what each of us has to offer.

Eldering is living life as a contribution.
When we share the best of who we are, we have purposeful conversations that matter. We are generous with our time and energy. We listen non-judgmentally and give people our full attention. Rather than focusing on contributing knowledge or information (which quickly becomes obsolete or redundant), we share our wisdom—our insights and perspectives, our ‘way of being’ in the world—in a way that brings out the best in others and helps them live life more successfully on their own terms.

Eldering is creating our collective future.
Being valued comes from making a contribution. And making a contribution starts with seeing what is wanted and needed in the world and then mobilizing others to take actions that make a difference. This is why it is so important to develop relationships—especially with those who care about what we care about. Instead of waiting for someone else to find 'solutions' to our 'problems', we can make a difference by connecting ideas, collaborating with others who are passionate about our interests, and creating possible futures that we’d like to live into. Rather than trying to control, manipulate or resist what’s happening, we can accept 'what is' and then share the possibilities we see with others.

Eldering is learning and growing throughout our lives.
We remain curious about what’s going on in the world, open to new input and inspired by other people and what they see and do. Each new day offers us the opportunity to expand our experience of being the best we can be.