Over 60 Exchange

The question this week is a departure from our regular format, but it might be interesting to those of you who have been reading this column.

Hey Jim - how did Over60Exchange get started?

In 2007, Bob Brewster, the founder of Over60Exchange, had an idea. He saw people over the age of 60, (that age soon dropped to 55), who had talent galore and who had gained both experience and wisdom along the course of their lives. They knew what it was like to experience life's bumps and bruises, but didn't want to retire simply because they had reached a pre-determined chronological age. In some cases, they knew what it was like to say, "I wish I could do it again, knowing what I know now." But in many cases they changed that to, "I want to do it again, knowing what I do now!"

These were people to whom the idea of retirement didn't have a lot of appeal. They were productive. They were smart. They were wise. They had experienced more technological change and scientific evolution than any other generation in the long history of the planet. They were intelligent enough to grasp new technologies but wise enough to know when to employ good, old-fashioned common sense. Sometimes they possessed neglected skills and appreciation for beauty, lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Many of them didn't want to work full time anymore. They had earned their time in the sun. But at the same time they weren't ready to sit by the wayside and revel only in past glories.

At the same time, Bob had a lot of experience with companies who, being forced to consider their bottom line, were looking for part-time, experienced help. They were willing to pay for production, not just time. They appreciated the fact that experienced folks who had been around the block a few times could be trusted to give them just what they needed without a lot of training. In many cases, it was cheaper and more efficient to put out jobs piecemeal to people who knew what was needed, how to deliver it on time, and take pride in their work.

Why not provide a way to bring together these two diverse groups of people in a manner that benefited both?

That was the germ that gave birth to Over60Exchange. But it didn't stop there. Like many of the individuals he was hoping to attract, Bob wasn't interested in a simple business arrangement. He wanted to make a difference in the world. When he contacted me he had already envisioned a concept much bigger than a job/matching service. He was asking pertinent questions. What does it feel like to be a senior citizen in a culture that worships youth? Why is this a different age than any that preceded us? What are the hopes and dreams of a generation that has been given the gift of longevity as a result of the technology of modern medicine?

I was intrigued by the idea. Having spent a lifetime counseling people in similar situations, having lived at the forefront of the Baby Boom generation myself, and having written a few books pertaining to the stages of life and the spirituality required to navigate them, I was ready to explore his questions and add a few of my own.

How do we mobilize the tremendous numbers of people who are approaching retirement age? How do we communicate with each other? To put it simply, how do we form a nation-wide community? That's what we're working on. It's a pretty exciting task!

This space is devoted to questions and comments concerning emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of aging. Specific questions dealing with health or finances should be addressed to specialists in those fields.

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Contact Jim at jim@over60exchange.com