Call to Adventure

Many people imagine that a hero’s Call to Adventure is something that is experienced by the young.  But the Call to Adventure has no expiration date — as long as we’re still breathing, something or someone may be calling you. There are stories throughout history of people who have a late-life calling.

The Biblical Abram (later renamed Abraham) was 75, for example.  In Genesis 12:1, God tells Abram, “Go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” 

And Moses was 80 when he stood before the burning bush and was called to lead the Hebrew people from slavery.  Moses initially objected (the Reluctant Hero). 

Exodus 3:11, “Who am I that I should go?”

Exodus 4:1, “What if they don’t believe me?”

Exodus 4:10, “I am not eloquent.” 

By age 70, we may feel we have lived a long time, and that relatively few years remain.  The advantage of a late-life calling is that those years were filled with experiences that give us skills. We learn to endure. By overcoming many challenges, we grow stronger and more resilient.

Answering the Call After 70 means recognizing that living a worthwhile, meaningful life does not end with aging. There are still new places to explore, ideas to pursue, and something of yourself to create and bring to your family or friends, to the world.

There are new versions of ourselves waiting to emerge at any age. The question is not whether someone is too old for a new adventure. The question is: What adventure is still waiting for you to answer? 

How will you answer?