First Look: Re-Eldering Manifesto
A quiet moment of exclusivity for our supporters
Dear friends, as supporters here on Substack, you’re the first to see this manifesto.
It will soon be shared more broadly, please take this moment to share any guiding thoughts before we ‘open it up’ (suggestions for responses at the end of this article).
Disclaimer: It’s been a long time coming, for one reason in particular: There is no perfect way to express so simultaneously deep and broad a concept.
After thousands of words, several years and countless conversations, this manifesto represents Sam’s ‘getting out of the way’ of the work of re-eldering. It is an imperfect and incomplete attempt to ‘wrap up’ the challenge, the opportunity and a call to action in one place.
Of course, there is much more to say, particularly when it comes to the ‘how’ of this manifesto.
Re-Eldering: A manifesto to come back to ourselves and save the world for future generations
(PDF below images, for downloading and sharing).
Responding to this manifesto
If all you manage is reading the few words and a “thank you” by way of response, it would mean a lot.
Beyond that, I would value your responses and feelings in whichever medium you choose, with particular reference to:
1. Your ‘gut feel’ and lived experience about these ideas.
2. Your insight as far as academic know-how and any experiments.
3. Any beginning ideas around practical elements of implementation (speeding the idea and ‘doing’ the idea).
4. Allies in the work, others who would be interested (please forward the document as you see fit, as well as sharing references with us).
Becoming a paid supporter
We’re not seeking to bribe or cajole you, but if you would consider becoming a paid supporter (button below, or within the ‘Substack’ container somewhere), it will go towards our continued explorations into myth, elderhood and meaning-making in community ultimately allowing us to continue our creative offerings: events, podcast and articles.
Sending love.
See you out there,
Sam, Recalling Fire
Imaginary paywall: If we were in the habit of hiding things from non-paying supporters…
Ah, you made it.
Well, given that you’re supporting us, the least we can offer is a joke.
Or, more accurately, THE joke (if you’ve found a better one, please let me (Sam) know).
Did you hear about the scarecrow who won an award?
He was outstanding in his field.
Heard it before? Stay with us. Here comes the payoff…
Later, when asked by journalists for the secret to his success, he said:
“Hey, it’s in my jeans.”
Please, please. Keep your praise words, it’s not an original…
Now, after luxuriating in the majesty of such perfection, for full effect tell it to someone else (especially if it hasn’t make sense to you yet in the written form).
And the oral tradition continues to revive…
Yes this makes heaps of sense to me. I’m nearly an elder (62) and love to have got to a stage where I’m doing a lot of teaching and being around creative process.
Sam- what an AMAZING manifesto. Yes, yes, yes. Sorry, it’s taken me so long to reply- I’ve been away from home for a bit, but also I wanted your ideas to percolate for a bit! I don’t know if you’ve read any Sharon Blackie (one of my favourite authors- she’s a psychologist, mythologist, story teller) - she is certainly interested in these ideas. I’ve been thinking about the very idea of elderhood for a while now and what you have said resonates deeply with me- you’ve managed to put down thoughts and feelings into words. With regards to points 1-6, you’ve hit the nail on the head. In today’s Western society we don’t talk about old age, and more specifically death. And as a doctor, I know it’s not talked about enough with patients and relatives. Death has become too clinical and Western medicine is so concerned with preserving life at all costs death is seen as a ‘failure.’
I’m so glad of your point 8- just look at some of our ‘leaders’ today- I would not class them as elders in the sense you mean it.
Points 13 and 14 are particularly pertinent to me- as an old age psychiatrist of many years I am certainly seeing this first hand. The number of referrals for over 65s has been increasing year on year and we are getting referrals now for people in their 90s and even over 100yrs. Loneliness and disconnection play a huge role in older people’s mental health, which was all too easily and sadly seen in lockdown.
I should probably wind up, I’ve probably written far too much already for the comment box! I would love to be a part of what you describe in point 19- how do we do it though??
Thank you for putting this out there Sam- it is so important and relevant today. I shall continue to ponder and digest your words. Hannah