What might it mean, to be an elder in today's world?

Older, obviously! But I'm talking about taking a conscious, deliberate decision to take on a role. I mean to bring all your resources, garnered over a long and eventful lifetime, to bring these resources to bear intentionally in an attempt to guide, advise and simply accompany others in the community. What might this look like?

I'm learning as I go, but now I'm 60 I am making this conscious decision every passing day as I enter the final third of my life.

Over the years I've lived in three countries, experienced love and loss, joy and grief. I've helped raise four wonderful children who are now all adults, and grown - as a mentor, guide and teacher - alongside countless young people (and a few older ones too). I have time and other resources which I can offer.

To be an elder in these times is perhaps to find ways to share this experience, to see where it might be useful somehow, to help resolve conflict, offer alternative pathways, to encourage the good-but-faint hearted, and to describe other ways of seeing the world and my place in it. To be an elder, it seems to me, is to take seriously the possibility that one has something positive to contribute to the efforts for peace and harmony.

I know how often other (and not always older) people have inspired and guided me. I can offer this too - as can we all. Perhaps it starts with self-respect, but it must embrace a wider respect for life itself. Is there a difference? After all we are alive in a living world, part and parcel of what we call 'nature'.

In my work over the years I was lucky to meet some remarkable individuals, luckier still to call many of them friends. People who had survived imprisonment, torture, gunshot and knife wounds. People who had overcome physical or social disadvantages, domestic abuse, gang violence. I have profound respect and love for the way they chose (and still choose) to be in the world. No doubt there were times when they felt angry, vengeful or depressed, but I saw and see them living positively, contributing to their community and society, expressing joy and bringing joy into the world.

Perhaps my own experience with loss and grief enabled me to listen respectfully without judging. Some of the stories I was entrusted with are so awful I do not repeat them. Instead I carry them within me and let them inform my being in the world. Believe me, you don't want to hear the stories, but you do need the empathy and compassion that was brought into the world by the simple telling and listening that took place. I pay it forward as best I can.

As a songwriter and poet I aim to distill and share some of these experiences and stories into my songs and poems. I aim to write affirmations. I try to write lyrics that include all possible audiences: young, old from wherever in the world they stem. Obviously I'm limited by language and culture, but the goal is to focus on those things that us humans, us Earthlings, have in common. These things are many. Sometimes they are serious and heavy, but often they are actually quite funny (as any decent clown can show you).

I know my contribution is small. Maybe I'm not making any impact at all. No matter. This is what I consciously and deliberately choose to do with my life in this new and final phase. How long have I got? Who knows? That's why I began many years ago, and why I begin again each day. I know I am connected.

You don't have to be Nelson Mandela or Mary Robinson. You don't have to be famous at all. You are connected. It is enough to have the intention: intend to listen, to show empathy, to try to understand. Intend to seek peace, resolve conflict and spread a little joy.

I call on all my fellow elders - what can you offer? That's great - let's go!

Peace & Music