Retired Seniors: Welcome to the Third Age!

Third Age is your newest frontier. It’s the new and unique opportunity for people of your generation that the “30 year bonus” of our extended life expectancy makes possible.

In 1900, the average lifespan for a man in the United States was forty-seven years old. By 2000, the lifespan had been extended to seventy-eight. People who live a healthy lifestyle can easily live into their nineties and beyond.

As a result of the lengthened lives, psychologists believe adult development has changed significantly over the last century. They are in the process of creating a new aging theory. Adult aging is no longer seen as a time of decline n
Third Age is your newest frontier. It’s the new and unique opportunity for people of your generation that the “30 year bonus” of our extended life expectancy makes possible. Think of this new period of your life in a creative way; ask questions, envision, and talk with your friends, family and coach about what it is you want to be and do with this time in your life!

First of all, it might help to get a brief rundown on what we mean by the Ages of Life.

First Age: The Age of Preparation. We develop the skills and knowledge needed to support the maturity and independence that Second Age requires.

Second Age: The Age of Achievement. We earn a place in the adult world of responsibility and seek security and status in the world.

Third Age: The Age of Fulfillment. With our roles in our family changing, and a shifting career focus, we can look within to find what gives us purpose and passion. n
Fourth Age: The Age of Completion. This last stage of life on Earth allows us to prepare fully for whatever we believe comes next. Growing to our full potential in Third Age allows us enter fully into this completion.

Each of these “ages” is roughly about 25 years but Third Age actually begins whenever the opinions of the exte
al world become less important and you begin to ask questions about what it all means and what really matters to you.

So, that’s where you are now. And what are you going to do with this opportunity and challenge? Can you muster up the courage to ask yourself questions like “How can I celebrate and enjoy living?” and “How can I make the most of my Third Age so that my Fourth Age is truly a completion of my fulfilling and meaningful life?”