20/07/2024
I’m 75 this year and I need courage to continue.
In retrospect, the first 60 years was mostly messing around. Now it feels as though I’ve reached the sharp end of life. I need courage otherwise I’ll start closing down. I need to open up, not retreat into my small, fearful self. I want to stay connected to my greater self.
So where can I get courage? They don’t sell it on Amazon and the kind they sell in the bar gets me in trouble. I’m not talking about Tom-Cruise-doing-crazy-stunts type courage. I’m talking about the courage to get out of bed. To keep going. To endure. To love the darkness and the light.
The source of my courage lies in the alarming fears that I have. The fear of losing physical or mental capacity. The fear of not having enough resources to survive. The fear of losing those close to me. The fear of isolation and death. Oh yes, there’s plenty of fear at my time of life.
Fear is an energy. Instead of pushing it under the carpet, I can use it. In fact we can all use the fear to create meaningful connection and purpose. Especially in the second half of life!
Nicola Glinwood, myself and some of the Life-Stage team will be talking about how we transform fear into courage. Perhaps you’ll join us? Even share your thoughts and experiences? Go on! Be Brave!
This is the first in a series of monthly on-line events based on my book, The Power in Ageing. www.life-stage.org/events
Ageing-well with meaning and purpose in the Life-Stage Community
