What's Next? Navigating Transitions to Make the Rest of Your Life Count
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help for parents and couples in their later years
If you're a baby boomer like me, you just retired. What's next? If you knew you had twenty more good years, what would you plan? Wright reminds us we are never too old to live wholeheartedly for the Lord.
He's getting older too. He has written this book to help us on the journey of the rest of our life.
He begins with transitions and writes about those we will experience in the second half of life, especially the unpredictable ones. Parenting transitions are discussed as are the changes of midlife. Wright encourages us to reframe our perspective, always keeping in mind God's criteria for success. He gives great suggestions for being proactive when it comes time for the empty nest.
He walks us through the changes in marriage, encouraging us to seize the opportunities midlife brings. He helps us move toward having the marriage we want.
More frequently now, adult children come back home and he addresses the feelings we may have (spouses may not have the same ideas here). He gives tips on how to relate to grandchildren when there is trouble in their parents' marriage or when it is a blended family.
The older we get, the more losses we experience and Wright gives us the steps in dealing with them. He encourages us to aim for optimum health and gives other traits of aging well, such as living a reflective life. He has a chapter on the loss of a spouse, sharing his own experiences when his wife died. He also explored the possibility of remarriage and all that entails.
With longer life spans, we have the opportunity to redirect our life, being good stewards of all God has given us. Wright ends his book by helping us know our purpose for this stage of life. We need to trust God as we seek to understand His calling for us.
Finally, âÂÂWhat will your legacy be?â (195)
There is a discussion guide at the end of the book. That, as well as the content of the book would make it a good one for a small group with older couples.
The majority of this book, by far, concentrates on marriage and parenting for the later years of life. For a single person like me, with no children, I felt Wright failed to address my situation. I would not recommend this book for single individuals just entering retirement, unless you are widowed. For couples or singles with children, there is much to gain from this book as you enter a new phase of your life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
March 30, 2012
You will not feel depressed after reading this!
This is an encouraging and uplifting book about the last half of your life here on earth. The author takes subjects and talks about them in the light of being older. From being parents and grandparents to marriage and becoming a widow or widower, he touches on subjects that will come into most of our lives at some point.
The author writes in a very open and humble style. I enjoyed all the chapters but a few of them really stood out. I liked his chapters on marriage. He talks about the different marriage relationships and the different stages of marriage. The information is very helpful and those chapters alone are worth buying the book for. His chapters on being great grandparents were very helpful also. Showing the different ways to be there for your family were enlightening.
I enjoyed the lists, questions and quotes placed throughout the book. The end does have discussion questions if you decide to use the book in a group setting. I think anyone over the age of 30 can take away something after reading this. You will learn things to help you today and also as you grow older. You will not feel depressed after reading this book! You will feel encouraged to live your life at your best everyday starting today!
I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
March 27, 2012
the second half of life
This book looks at the transitions and choices in our lives from middle age on until death. The author addresses such issues as the empty nest, the boomerang generation, caring for elderly parents, widowhood, remarriage, retirement, aging, and facing death. All of these are heavy subjects and must be faced by everyone. The author tries to show that these are normal and not to feared, but rather to be prepared for. Each chapter contains insightful and thoughtful information about meeting each of these challenges with grace and peace. The next to the last chapter was my favorite, a very thought provoking article about ways to leave a lasting legacy and write an ethical will. Summed upâÂÂthis was a very informative book on an important subject. While the subject was interesting, I had a hard time finishing the book as the authorâÂÂs presentation style did not hold my interest. That was just my personal experience and does not in any way reflect on the significance of the material covered.
I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not requiredâÂÂjust an honest opinion.
March 15, 2012
If you got through that now there is this.
When I saw the title of the book I knew I had to read it! At 52 years old I have been asking myself that question for years. âÂÂWHATâÂÂS NEXT? Navigating Transitions to Make the Rest of Your Life Countâ by H. Norman Wright is an excellent book about lifeâÂÂs changes. Written with Baby Boomers in mind it helps us work through the major and not so major adaptations we have had to make over the years.
It is a book and a workbook; it is personal and a great source for adult conversation. This book helps us work out the âÂÂwhat ifâÂÂsâ of our lives and the âÂÂif I could-a-would-a-should-aâ in our minds. We donâÂÂt always ask ourselves: âÂÂWhat next?â generally we ask: âÂÂNow What!â It is the same except âÂÂWhat Next?â allows you and me to evaluate GodâÂÂs plan which is always bigger than our finite eyes to see.
The chapters include: âÂÂWe, the boomersâÂÂ; âÂÂThe Second Half of MarriageâÂÂ; âÂÂThe Gathering of LossesâÂÂâ âÂÂYouâÂÂre Older: Rejoice!â and âÂÂThe Legacy YouâÂÂll Leaveâ just to name a few. There is much more in this 220 page book (not including the extensive bibliography). It is well worth the price and one you will definitely not want to get from the library.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for a review. I have provided my honest opinion.
March 12, 2012
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