February 13, 2019

Parker Palmer - Reflections from Getting Older

51 minutes

Parker Palmer is a writer, teacher, and activist whose work speaks deeply to many people in many different walks of life. He’s the founder and senior partner in The Center for Courage and Renewal. He’s the author of many books, including his newest one which we talk about on this episode: On The Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old. Parker is one of our favorite guests of the show and after you listen to this episode, you’ll know why he’s back for a second conversation.

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In This Interview, Parker Palmer and I Discuss…

His book, On The Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old

His reflections looking back on his life

The resilient fabric of his life

How perfection is an illusion

The role mistakes can play in one’s life

The gift of age: Looking back on one’s life and saying “It all belongs”

Another gift of age: Deep appreciation and gratitude for the present moment

Feeling like you’re one of the lucky ones that you’re “old”

Asking “What’s there for me to learn?” when facing problematic moments in life (like feeling down, or feeling self-pity)

Moments of life that are burdened with ego

The correlation between ego concerns and anxiety

The importance and role of perspective

The what and why of the things we’re doing

The question (and trap!): Does my life have meaning?

My legacy vs Our legacy

How we’re all embedded in community

“I planted some seeds and found some people I wanted to garden with…”

How life and work are profoundly communal

Reflecting on the question, “Have I been sufficiently open to and aware of the significant contributions others have made in my life – and in such a way to do a deep bow to them in the work that I do?”

Turning attention outward vs inward

Being one among many vs trying to be something or someone special

The healing impact of getting out into the natural world

His poem “Harrowing”

To know when to say, “enough” because the rest of the world and the rest of my life is waiting

Parker Palmer Links

Homepage

Facebook

Twitter

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By Eric Zimmer

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