Oh. to be JUNG again

Among the classic Jungian archetypes is the "Wise Old Man." The WOM is a philosopher whose life experiences, wisdom, and insight grant him sound judgement. A kind understanding mentor who tells stories that hopefully will provide guidance to those younger and less experienced in the ways of the world. There are many examples in literature from Merlin to Obe Wan Kenobe or Yoda.

In psychology, he is known as SENEX (the word means older, not senile) and is the opposite of the Puer Aeternus (the perpetual child). Many older folks, some of whom might be your relatives, like to think of themselves as wise and scholarly, willing to mentor, and overflowing with "just the right story" to prove a point...like a parable from the Bible. Alas, in our American society, the Senex, is not even a close second to Linsey Lohan on the influential scale. We worship the young and the advice they have to give, that comes from nowhere. We have those great philosophers... Robert Pattison, Miley Cyrus, and Barack Obama . Every time I turn on my computer and go to Comcast.com...I get to select a video on FanCast of something earthshaking that is happening in our world... like Jennifer Aniston is going to have a baby but she does not need a "man" in her life (well maybe for a few moments). If this is what passes of wisdom in our world, then we are truly F'd. Like fruit, there is an expiration or "best-if-used-by" date on the WOM resource. Sometimes wisdom disappears and is replaced by rigidity and repetition. So, if you have one of these guys in your life, taste of the wisdom while it is ripe, and don't wait until Senex is overtaken by Senility. On the good side, when a WOM is included in society or family life, the fruit stays fresh longer.