America needs to develop elders / sages not merely leaders.

Society needs elders (as distinguished from leaders) to progress. A progressive society is not a “liberal” society but one that solves issues for its citizens so they can live better lives. Numerous examples of current societal issues are presented. These issues cannot be resolved by continuing to classifying them as liberal / conservative, democrat / republican, etc. as such labeling is First Half (FH) of life thinking. Resolutions can be obtained by approaching issues with Second Half (SH) or elder thinking. The wisdom of an elder / sage does not result from obtaining a level of education, job posting, reaching a certain age, or retirement. Elder status can arise either from years of natural development or by individual election. Current leaders have essentially stifled natural elder development. The second way is achieved when the individual is humbled (often by experiencing devastation by life’s events) and then chooses to undertake an uncertain new journey. This book calls for the individual to make that election and tells how to do it.

In my late 50’s I found myself involuntarily unemployed despite holding three postgraduate degrees. After reading books about suffering, character, love, empathy, etc. I noticed a common thread between the topics that the writers themselves did not address. I opted to change my life. No longer would I strive to be a leader; now I would strive to become an elder.