No, we’re not talking about a suspect in a police investigation, but about you. Are you an interesting person? What are your interests? When other people talk about you do they say anything more than: She/he is ‘very nice’?
Every day one passes a multitude of older people in the street or in the aisles at the supermarket and most leave no impression. Yet children and teenagers usually attract a glance at least. Do we lose our characters when we grow old? Or are we afraid of being different, of attracting attention? Would you describe yourself as: Very quiet. Keeping a low profile? And do you say to others: I don’t like to make waves. I keep myself to myself?
Of course, how you behave in retirement is entirely your business. However, the possibility that a large proportion of the public think they should remain invisible merely because they are older and retired is worrying. We have much to contribute to society – knowledge, experience, wisdom, creativity, tolerance, humour and so on. But the possibility of us making a contribution will be ignored unless we make ourselves known. Become involved as a volunteer in areas such as education, health, politics, environment, or entertainment. By being interested you can become a person of interest.
Renaissance not Retirement 