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Generation W: The Wisdom People
- By Rejoyce Wilson-Herbert
- Published 07/26/2011
- Real Life Success
- Unrated
Rejoyce Wilson-Herbert
Rejoyce Wilson-Herbert is the founder of National Information Resource Services (NIRS), an organization committed to educating people on the home care industry. Currently residing in Newport Coast, CA, Rejoyce is the General Manager of MemorialCare Home Caregivers. She is also a nationally recognized advocate for the elderly
and is one of the most highly-sought after speakers in her field. She is a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and continues to work hard and help people realize their own goals.
Millions of people around the world have lived for half a century or
more.
With more and more people living longer, why does our society refer to people over 60 years of age as old
people?
The Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines the word old as “dating from the remote past, ancient, outdated” and the word elderly as "rather old."
When you consider the vast number of people over sixty years old that continue to successfully contribute to the world, how can they be considered old or elderly?
With all the changes going on in the world today, it seems high time that we reclassify people who have lived for a half a century and recognize them for who they really are. The sixty and over age group are people with experience in real life issues and circumstances. They have developed wisdom and understanding of life like no other generation. Drawing on that, it seems only logical to offer these people the moniker of "Wisdom People" or Generation W.
Generation W is responsible for the growth and development that the United States of America has seen and enjoyed for the past forty or more years. The wisdom people are the fighters, the parents, the politicians, the teachers, the doctors, lawyers and the construction workers who built the American dream.
By ceasing to use words such as old and elderly when speaking about those who are sixty years and older, and giving them the identity of “The Wisdom People” it gives them the respect and dignity that they have earned.
Many of the wisdom people are still great contributors to this country. They may not all be as technically advanced as Generation X or Generation Y, but neither of these generations have the vast knowledge and experience of real life as the wisdom people.
Why is it important for the wisdom generation to be recognized for their years of real life experiences, for their successes, and for the many years of life experience that have contributed to their wisdom? Simple. They established a foundation for the future and have seen and lived through the changes that have transpired at a breakneck pace. This makes them uniquely qualified to help the younger generations to prepare to tackle whatever life may bring.
In other countries the older population is seen as the wisest and most knowledgeable in society. In these societies, kings, queens, and leaders consult with the elders before making important decisions.
Today technology has replaced convention wisdom. The younger generation now consults the internet when it needs information. And while technology is wonderful, the collective wisdom of a generation cannot be reduced to bits on a computer. The value of the wisdom generation comes from the unique perspective offered by its members.
Eventually, each generation will have the chance to become the the wisdom people. Baby boomers, Gen X, Generation Y and all the generations to come will move through the stages of life and eventually become the wisest of the wise.
The next time you start to refer to the over sixty crowd old or elderly, stop and think. Today it may be your grandmother or grandfather, mother or father; tomorrow your sister, brother, cousin or even you.
THANK YOU WISDOM PEOPLE FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE.
When you consider the vast number of people over sixty years old that continue to successfully contribute to the world, how can they be considered old or elderly?
With all the changes going on in the world today, it seems high time that we reclassify people who have lived for a half a century and recognize them for who they really are. The sixty and over age group are people with experience in real life issues and circumstances. They have developed wisdom and understanding of life like no other generation. Drawing on that, it seems only logical to offer these people the moniker of "Wisdom People" or Generation W.
Generation W is responsible for the growth and development that the United States of America has seen and enjoyed for the past forty or more years. The wisdom people are the fighters, the parents, the politicians, the teachers, the doctors, lawyers and the construction workers who built the American dream.
By ceasing to use words such as old and elderly when speaking about those who are sixty years and older, and giving them the identity of “The Wisdom People” it gives them the respect and dignity that they have earned.
Many of the wisdom people are still great contributors to this country. They may not all be as technically advanced as Generation X or Generation Y, but neither of these generations have the vast knowledge and experience of real life as the wisdom people.
Why is it important for the wisdom generation to be recognized for their years of real life experiences, for their successes, and for the many years of life experience that have contributed to their wisdom? Simple. They established a foundation for the future and have seen and lived through the changes that have transpired at a breakneck pace. This makes them uniquely qualified to help the younger generations to prepare to tackle whatever life may bring.
In other countries the older population is seen as the wisest and most knowledgeable in society. In these societies, kings, queens, and leaders consult with the elders before making important decisions.
Today technology has replaced convention wisdom. The younger generation now consults the internet when it needs information. And while technology is wonderful, the collective wisdom of a generation cannot be reduced to bits on a computer. The value of the wisdom generation comes from the unique perspective offered by its members.
Eventually, each generation will have the chance to become the the wisdom people. Baby boomers, Gen X, Generation Y and all the generations to come will move through the stages of life and eventually become the wisest of the wise.
The next time you start to refer to the over sixty crowd old or elderly, stop and think. Today it may be your grandmother or grandfather, mother or father; tomorrow your sister, brother, cousin or even you.
THANK YOU WISDOM PEOPLE FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE.
