There is a new app that is incredibly popular this week, the FaceApp. While there is a great deal of controversy on privacy, the source of the app, and the use of it to see what you may look like when you are "old"; I've been thinking about it and what I saw when I saw myself from a more aged perspective.
In a world where there is so much emphasis on staying young, I wonder if we may have forgotten the importance of the wisdom that the advancement of years brings? Today would mark Nelson Mandela's 101's birthday, and as person of significant wisdom, he said this in regard to elders:
Elders', "support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair.”
Courage in fear - agreement in conflict - hope where there is despair
There gifts of elders: courage, peacemaking and hope; are things so needed in our homes, communities, work and world. So why is it that seeing ourselves as elders has caused such a popular rush to try the app - only to bemoan the wrinkles we see there? We have, in western society in particular, adopted a hope that we will be forever young. I get it. There is a sense of desiring the fountain of youth. Youthful physical appearances is something our world values - and rewards; for good or for bad.
But what if we looked at "elder-ship" as the opportunity to grow in gifts that a young appearance can't offer? What is wisdom, courage, peacemaking and hope were the most popular applications of our lives?
I'll admit when I first saw my photo reformatted as an elder, it was jarring. But the more that I look at the image on the right, I start to think: "What do you have to teach me today?" ,"You eyes are still kind - I'm so happy to see that.", "I see both my Mom, Dad and grandparents in this picture - I'm proud to resemble them." As I look at the image on the right, I find myself wishing I could have a conversation with that woman, to glean from her experience and to take some ques from her from now till I see her in the mirror in front of me.
What wisdom, courage, peacemaking and hope do the elder's have to teach us? I think there is much to be learned. We need maturity. We need wisdom. We need peacemaking. We need hope.
What do you see here?
How can elders help us to see what is truly needed in the world?
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