The Longevity Bonus: Which New Spiritual Life Stage Are You In?

Childhood

During our early years, our primary task is to learn basic survival skills. Authority figures have control over much of our psycho-spiritual development. There are moments, however, both earned and gifted, when we are swept up by the wonder of life. We have fleeting glimpses of that transcendent place the mystics refer to as “home.” During childhood, too, we begin to flex our wings, even as we encounter aspects of our world that are broken, hurtful or frustrating. We know we are leaving childhood behind when we not only question the way things are but begin to believe we can do something about it.

Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. is Founder of FierceWithAge, the Digest of Boomer Wisdom, Inspiration and Spirituality. Dr. Orsborn, who earned her doctorate in religion from Vanderbilt University, is the best-selling author of 21 books including her newest book: Fierce with Age: Chasing God and Squirrels in Brooklyn. (Spring 2013) Dr. Orsborn is a sought after speaker/retreat leader and spiritual director.

Coming into Age

We come into age when we cease being driven by either positive or negative emotions. We now know too much to believe the status quo will necessarily bend to our will. At the same time, we are no longer in kneejerk reaction to what others think and do. Our primary task becomes one of relishing the bittersweet joy of relative freedom, witnessing deeper truths while growing one’s ability to choose engagements wisely. Sometimes as a result of our hard psycho-spiritual work over time, sometimes as an unexpected and welcome gift, we find ourselves increasingly once again swept up the wonder of life. We have a growing sense of that transcendent place the mystics refer to as “home.”