Emmy van Deurzen on Wondering Freely

The perspective that you have arrived at after having been part of the top spots but now being faced with endings, reduced capacity, humility and potential exclusion, is invaluable. We all need to learn to think around the corners of our blind desire for more visibility and acknowledgement towards a measure of wisdom. There is no doubt that having to reflect more carefully is an advantage. It is almost as if you have been catapulted into something resembling my own position, which is that of semi retirement at the age of 73, a time when similar reflections are a daily process. I certainly travelled too much and too far for many years, when I was a rising star, incapable of turning down a seemingly vital opportunity. Now I know that we are fortunate to be able to do much online and that when we do we are more modest in our contributions. We don't shine as we do when standing on a big podium, and when we can measure our success in the loudness, persistence and sincerity of the applause, not to mention standing ovations. We have to share our messages online in a much more equal way with younger colleagues and our impact is both artificially and I believe intentionally flattened. There is something very democratic about this, which I am learning to relish. I feel I can have more impact now in passing concrete wisdom on via YouTube to people who actually need to hear what I know. I find it very satisfying to quietly pass on some of my learning and not have to grandstand about it anymore.