Guest Blogger: Ian Bertram

[EDITORIAL NOTE: Ian Bertram, who blogs at Panchromatica, is filling in for me today while I'm in Maine. He titles his guest piece, “Nostalgia Isn’t What It Used To Be.” Please welcome him to Time Goes By and be sure to visit his blog.

"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made."

- (Browning)

This year I cross one of those artificial age thresholds we so love to hate – in my case I will be 60. When my parents approached that age, they probably did so with some trepidation – both physically and mentally it was seen as the beginning of the decline. That isn’t the case now because of course we expect to live much longer as medical treatment improves.

One thing that hasn’t changed however is our attitude to aging or retirement. Many of us, supported it must be said by trades unions and the media, see retirement not as a change but as the end - as if we define ourselves by our work. Indeed the pensions system makes it pretty much impossible to do anything else. If my working life had been like my father’s – hot, hard labour in a foundry – I suppose I might have felt that way myself, but increasingly this will not be so.

How can we best equip people to adapt to change? The management writer Charles Handy has been arguing for years that we can no longer expect to stay in the same career all our lives. Typically, we must anticipate retraining two or three times over an average working life. As our working life extends, this need will presumably become even more acute.

When I was made redundant at 55, I could have looked for more of the same, but probably not without major upheaval if I succeeded. I was fortunate that my redundancy package provided a buffer so I decided to become a consultant. The business plan I worked out soon went out of the window but work came in nevertheless.

At the same time, some of my other interests grew to fill the space previously occupied by ‘wage slavery’ and began to offer the opportunity to generate income in their own right. So now I have become what Handy calls a ‘portfolio worker’. I work on short-term contracts via an agency, I work on a self-employed basis with one or two contracts at any one time, I have begun to develop a market for my photographic and print work, I have started other art and craftwork. I have two unfinished novels (but then who doesn’t!)

I started writing this with the aim of comparing me20 with me60, but having got thus far I found it curiously difficult. Part of the problem is that me20 was not introspective and faced the world, Candide-like, with an enthusiasm fuelled by a dangerous but heady mixture of ignorance and idealism. Consequently I don’t really have memories of what me20 thought of his life then and don’t think me20 could have imagined the life I lead now let alone anticipated it. Me60 has come a long way – in both time and distance - from the streets on which I grew up.

A memory of an even earlier me – me5 - from an autobiographical piece I prepared for a writing class.

On my first day at infant school we are all given slates and a slate pencil. The teacher writes our name on each slate for us to copy. I can already write my name so I rub out her version and proudly write my own. She is cross. I have written it in the wrong way. She makes me write it out as she has written it, not as my mother has taught me. It is my first exposure to the tyranny of adult conformity.

I suspect such naivete was always there and probably to a degree still is – despite my occasional pretensions of cynicism. Inside me60, me20 is still lurking – and hasn’t grown older and doesn’t see what is so good about ‘growing up’.

Real growing up - real growth - comes I believe from cultivating your me20 – and all those other ‘me’s still inside you. Think about it! Me20 was of course very aware of the opposite sex. Me20 may have looked at the occasional 22 year old girl but never – never - at someone as ancient as 30. By contrast for me60, the world is bursting at the seams with beautiful women!

For any life experience the same applies – by cultivating and encouraging your me20 – and all those other ‘me’s - you enhance the life you lead now. It isn’t nostalgia – it is an essential part of being you.

Comments

[Paul]

I am 57 and enjoy each day as much as I can. No one is guaranteed tomorrow so enjoy today as much as possible !

[Milt]

Life is a learning experience, starts with day one, and as far as I know now, ends when we do.

[goldenlucyd]

Thanks for a positive post. Yes, we must reinvent ourselves---hopefully with enthusiasm and optimism.
I too was "made redundant" after 33 happy and productive years in my corporate job.
After a couple years of wallowing and taking just-to-keep-busy-and-make-a-few-bucks jobs, I settled into a new career as a full-time hospital volunteer.

Actually it really did turn out to be a new career. I decided I would make and give the best of myself and situation. I feel I was able to make a genuine contribution to others as well as getting myself out of myself. (And that ain't easy!)

It worked for me. Now I've moved on to my next career---making sure this crazy family doesn't completely run off the rails. And, as I wrote to Milt this morning, exploring a wonderful inner world of Lucy through blogging.

Thans Ian. You gave me a lift.
lucyd

[ian]

As it happens I also volunteer - I'm currently a director of what we call in the UK a company limited by guarantee - basically a 'social enterprise' where any profit goes back into the business for the benefit of the local community.

http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/Default.aspx

[Claude]

I absolutely loved you me5 piece, and will definitely go and read your blog when I am not in an Internet Café

[Steve Sherlock]

Excellent insights... and yes, I agree that the women are all beautiful as we get older, that is one benefit but I also find that I am more fatherly (you shouldn't dress like that!).

[fp]

Insightful post Ian. I think this is the first time I've run across your writing but it won't be the last! I visited your blog and particularly appreciated the Hayek quotes...
http://ibanda.blogs.com/panchromatica/2006/03/hayek_on_the_fr.html

[joared]

I surely do identify with changing careers for a variety of reasons several times during a life time.

Also, endorse that whole concept of keeping a me20, even some of those other me-years within my age now. Can't imagine living life any other way.

You have plenty of time for some more careers, if you want to think about changing again. Keep the current one on the side, just for insurance.

[joared]

I just went out and visited your blog and am estatic to have found it.

Just wanted to tell you, and thanks to Ronni for bringing you here.

[joared]

Re my abv post .. I was "ecstatic"
not estatic. Must hire a new proofreader. :-)