In our culture growing old is too often associated with decline, obsolescence, finality. It’s assumed that our bodies, minds and energies will flag until we eventually run out of steam and die. All our important milestones are behind us, and there isn’t time left for new goals. Yet there is no substitute for experience. For those of us who have led relatively aware lives, learning from our achievements and our mistakes, experience inevitably results in wisdom. Having lived so long helps us to see the bigger picture, the great arcs of history, how similar scenarios have worked out in the past.

It’s only in the last century or so that most people have gone to anyone other than local elders for solutions to life’s problems. Historically the accumulated wisdom of older people was the key to human survival. Not only did the old, and especially the grandmothers, improve the survival chances of their grandchildren by caring for them and finding them food; they were the source of tried and tested experience, the “elders” to whom group members would turn in time of crisis.

True wisdom is only useful if and when those who need it are able and willing to listen, and those who have it are able and willing to share. It’s up to younger people to decide whether they are interested in what we older folks have to offer, but equally it’s up to us seniors to be willing to share our stories, experiences and insights. Let’s not need to be know-alls who’ve seen everything before and have all the answers (a particularly important consideration for older men!), but let’s not hold back when we have useful and relevant stories to tell and advice to share.