The Period of Generativity and Creativity

Each year your birthday arrives on a specific day of the year and a new leaf is turned for you for another year. To those of us, who are between 40 and 65 years old, the metaphoric expression “pass the torch” that has become colloquial in the English language in the 1880s does not apply yet. Why? Because it is not only that “life begins at 40.” It is because those who are 40 to 64 years are men and women who still matter in the family, society, and the community. They are in their “period of generativity and creativity.”

This period is not however absolute and specific in those number of years. They are just numbers. The period can thus extend even for 20 years or more. In simple math, it therefore possible, that generativity and creativity can continue and extend to octogenarian years and further.

Dreams have no age

Peter Mark Roget invented the Thesaurus at the age of 73. Classical guitarist, Andres Segovia, made his first record when he was 57 years old. Charles Darwin was 50 years old in 1859 when he came out with “On The Origin of the Species.” Clint Eastwood was 73 years old when he won an Academy Award. Our very own President Rodrigo Duterte became the oldest elected president at the age of 71.

Period of Generativity and Creativity

Generativity is the concern of guiding the next generation. It refers to “making your mark” on the world through caring for others as well as accomplishing things that make the world a better place. Creativity is achieved when something valuable is formed through innovation or in doing something fresh and new. Creativity can be intangible, like an idea or solution to a problem, or even a joke. It can be tangible when it is something physical, like a painting or a published novel.

People who are skillful and successful in this period of their life are able to make commitments to other people. They are able to develop relationships with family and are able to act as guru or adviser in guiding others. These are the people referred to as those “preparing to pass the torch.”

Preparing to pass the torch

Although I said that passing the torch does not apply yet to those who are still active in family, society, and community; the period of generativity and creativity pertains to “preparing to pass the torch” to the next runners after us – the next generation – our children. It is a process that takes 10 to 20 years of preparation through mentoring.

Idiots Guide in Preparing to Pass the Torch

There are many “Idiot Books” in the market. They are simple guides. I would like to give you a simple guide in mentoring the next generation: 3 Cs and an L. That is: Competence, Compassion, and Commitment, with an added seasoning or “vetsin” which is LOVE. Teach the children the 3 Cs and an L and you will never regret you did.