sage-ing international (www.sage-ing.org) recently held a conference in the US. the final keynote speaker was matthew fox, a remarkable, excommunicated catholic priest whose profound, contemporary vision of spirituality has touched millions. he spoke of his dislike of the word ‘retirement’, a dislike i share with him! (sadly, none of the photos of him were available for download, so here's an image of one of his man books. it might give you an idea of why he was de-frocked!)
instead he posited the word ‘refirement’.
he spoke of the need for an energised, engaged generation of elders, who had fire in their belly, and a passion for life, in all its manifestations. this generation is living longer than any in the past. we have years of experience and wisdom to be given their place in the world, to be given to others with care and attention.fox also created the word ‘re-wirement’, by which he means the re-awakening of the mystical brain in elders.
as we grow older we have the opportunity to connect deeply with ourselves, with one another, with spirit and with the earth. we have the time and opportunity to expand and grow into our fullness, now that, for many of us, the obligations of younger years have passed.how can you be a refired, rewired elder? what would your growing older look like with those two qualities deeply integrated into your being? each of us has a unique answer to those questions. there is no one way, no right way to grow into elderhood. it is up to each of us to explore, to connect with what has meaning, and to create the rich life we long for.there is no ordinary elder...only individual, flashing, glorious facets on the gem of wisdom.
(find more about mattew fox at www.mattewfox.org)