February 21, 2013

Becoming a Sage by Gerald Meck

All of us go through different stages of life.  Several weeks ago I signed up for Social Security. I resisted this for a time partly because I do not consider myself to be old. At church several weeks ago, someone described those of us over 65 years of age as “sages.” Each of us received a black coffee mug with “SAGE” imprinted in green.

In his book Radical Grace, Richard Rohr writes this about sages – “When you have met a sage, you know you have met a great person. He or she is the real image of the wise person who can sit on the edge of the family and offer it security and caution. They don’t stifle others with closed-ness or rigidity or dogmatic political opinions. Rather, they offer a world view in which we feel both safe and adventurous.”

“Because most of us don’t have that kind of grandparent around, we bear the whole burden of life alone. We have to change this. There has to be a different way. No civilization has survived spiritually unless the elders saw it as their central task to pass on wisdom to the young.”

Several weeks after receiving my “sage” mug, my granddaughters (ages 12 and 9) asked if they could spend some time with me this summer. The older one, Maya, asked if we could spend some time on a dairy farm, milking cows, feeding the calves and assisting with general farm work.  Maya’s dream is to become a veterinarian.   A week on the farm will give her a good introduction to animals and farm life.

Maya’s sister, Mason asked me to visit her in Connecticut and do fun things around home.  She is already making lists of activities for us to share during “Camp Grandpa.”

I am grateful for these opportunities to spend time with Maya and Mason.  I’m encouraged to “be a sage” by offering them security and caution, safety and adventure, and to share wisdom without stifling them as I open myself to their world.

As leaders we also have opportunities to model sage-like behaviors to people in all life stages.  We do this by observing, listening, sharing knowledge, encouragement and wisdom, sometimes through active engagement and sometimes while “sitting on the edges.”

Be inspired to share the wisdom and perspective that you’ve gained on life’s journeys.  Be a sage in someone’s life today!