So I walked through the door and asked questions: Who am I? What makes me come alive? What establishes my sense of self-worth? I found some answers. My faith focused the image of my inner self. Writing enlivened me. Helping others satisfied me.

Not all of us will find the answers quickly. It takes a considerate amount of reflection to transition from one life to another. Davidson states, “As I spoke with dozens who’d managed to make it out of the narrows, I saw that each had had a conversion, and each was different.”

The second half of life is learning who we are. We realize that our self-worth does not come from what we accomplished but from the strength and joy we derive from discovering our identity and then acting on our discoveries. We do not need the outside world to hand us the agenda for the day based on their perceptions.

Some of us will look towards spiritual guidance. According to a 2004 survey by Pew Research Center, “…the trend since the late 1980’s has been toward stronger religious belief.” Ravi Zacharias, president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and author of The Grand Weaver, states in the introduction of his book, “…we know he has a specific purpose for each of us and that he will carry us through until we meet him face-to-face and know ourselves completely.”

Life long learning opportunities await us. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the mature learner is part of a growing trend. Many colleges offer free classes, reduced tuitions, or exemptions from entrance exams. A Lifetime Learning Credit is also available through the IRS.

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” A non-profit organization called icouldbe.org connects adults, representing hundreds of careers, with students transitioning from high school or college. From their home computer, adults mentor the students. Volunteermatch.org networks people to thousands of volunteer opportunities. Outreach programs in our communities are looking for volunteers to visit with the sick, drive the elderly to appointments, or even file papers.

The second half of life can be more exciting than the first because we can focus more on opportunities and less on obligations.

Time is on our side. We have 168 hours a week to come alive, explore, grow, create, contribute, pursue our dreams, and even pause to sip, not gulp our coffee.

The Good News

• “My experience is that one of the gifts of the second half of life is learning to stop posturing and to be ourselves.” Mark Gerzon
• The longest documental human life span is 122 years according to the Mayo Clinic
• “We act on what we believe, so positive thoughts cause positive actions. If you want a positive life, begin thinking positive thoughts.” Joyce Meyer
• More than a million boomers every year start working for themselves according to AARP contributor Brent Bowers
• “When I look into the future, it’s so bright it burns my eyes.” Oprah Winfrey