What do you think?
Rate this book
Let This Be the Time: Spiritual Essentials for Life's Second Act
The journey of aging is different for each of us, but no matter our path, the joys and challenges of getting older give us all a wonderful opportunity to keep growing emotionally and spiritually. In this wise and profound book, Janet Schaeffler draws on her own experiences of aging and the insights of many elders to help us all deal with twelve increasingly important to live a life of meaning and purpose; to joyfully pursue love and relationships; to ask and explore questions; to learn and grow and laugh; to navigate change and transition; to cope with losses; to be grateful; to forgive and be forgiven; to give; for spiritual integration; to let go and simplify; and to prepare for dying and death. The journey of aging is a gift for each eldering person, says Schaeffler. Filled with gentle wisdom and practical suggestions, Let This Be the Time will help us make the most of this wonderful gift as we learn to live and love more fully in our eldering years.
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2020
10 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 18, 2022
Not a bucket list
Sr Janet outlines 12 “tasks” of eldering, or growing older. The style is very encouraging and communal, as she draws from a variety of elders to illustrate each principle.
In the beginning of the book, she mentions that there’s not just one spirituality for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and more… and as I read I could see where some things are more appropriate to the early elders. At other times, I could see how someone with a serious sickness is thrust into these same issues of “second half” of life….
All in all, a good book to unpack slowly and journal with as one processes their own eldering journey.
Edited to add: our book club discussed it this morning- it was this months selection- they loved it.
Very inspired conversation that weaved the books themes with their experiences.
Sr Janet outlines 12 “tasks” of eldering, or growing older. The style is very encouraging and communal, as she draws from a variety of elders to illustrate each principle.
In the beginning of the book, she mentions that there’s not just one spirituality for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and more… and as I read I could see where some things are more appropriate to the early elders. At other times, I could see how someone with a serious sickness is thrust into these same issues of “second half” of life….
All in all, a good book to unpack slowly and journal with as one processes their own eldering journey.
Edited to add: our book club discussed it this morning- it was this months selection- they loved it.
Very inspired conversation that weaved the books themes with their experiences.
November 16, 2024
As a church book club this book was chosen. It is easy to read filled with a lot of spiritual insight for the Second Act of your Life. It is a great book to discuss because we have all lived different lives, but also much alike. The things we thought of and how we dealt with situations in the busy- ness of our lives, marriage, raising children, having a career, is now quite different in the solitude of our retirement years. It reminds us we are not done living. We have much to give until our dying breath to use the gifts God has given us. A great book to ponder and get busy!
June 1, 2021
This is a fascinating and useful little handbook for those of us adapting to and embracing life on the back side of middle age, in spite of the many changes and transitions that come our way.
September 12, 2021
Wonderful book to read and think about in the eldering years. Love that fact that there are questions and suggestions at the end of each of the chapters.
November 23, 2023
This was read as a group. I don't know what I expected, but it made me feel "Old", not that I'm not.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews