Coming to Terms with Age

My sixty-first birthday passed by a couple of weeks ago. I purposely kept it quiet. There’s no need for belated wishes, though I will graciously acknowledge them if given.

Sixty was an interesting year in that it kind of felt like I was still in my fifties, having not lived a full year as a sexagenarian. But sixty-one hits a little different. To me, it’s when the world begins seeing people as old.

In my mind, I’m the same age I started seeing my grandparents whither, with hands full of arthritis, bent postures, and gray hair. Thankfully, I only have the gray hair at this point.

Even still, sixty was still one hell of a year for me health-wise, which has brought a lot of things into sharp focus.

If I’m lucky, I have somewhere between six to nine years left working at my current job. I’ve been working full time since I was fourteen. I’ve always taken pride in the work I did, and it’s always been a big part of who I was.

Even when it’s been a grind, I’ve still loved working in the field I was fortunate enough to end up in by pure accident. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to create over the years that made the lives of others simpler and more efficient.

But, I’m at a crossroads now.

I’m about to be the one who’s no longer leading the charge. It’s time that I start stepping aside for those who were meant to come after me, so they can make their own difference.

To accomplish this, I see myself moving into a place of sharing the wisdom gained during the 45+ years I’ve been working with those at the front lines now; teaching them what worked for me and what didn’t. Sharing regrets and what I’ve learned from them. Or, how I might handle some of those regrets differently given a second chance.

This post may sound like I’m defeated. Make no mistake; I’m not even close to calling it quits. I feel stronger, bolder, and more excited for life than ever.

But it’s clear where my focus needs to be once I return to work. Instead of expecting others to hold my beer while I save the world, it’s my place to hold their beer and encourage them to step up and become the superheroes they were meant to be.

I’m excited for this transition. Done right, it’ll be a legacy of sorts, and I will have left my mark on the next generation of knowledge worker superheroes.