Part 5 – Light from many Lamps – Robert Browning

I was drawn to Robert Brownings writing by the title, “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” I assumed this would be about a husband and a wife growing old together, however, it was quickly shown to me that this was not the case in the first sentence. This portion of Lillian Eichler Watson’s, Light from many Lamps, talks of Robert Browning’s return to England from Italy after three years, to supervise his son’s education and to take up his own shattered life again…alone (Watson, 1951).

He felt as though his days were numbered because he was beyond the age of 50. He was quickly reminded of Rabbi ben Ezra who said, “Grow old with me!!!! The best is yet to be.” I now know that this means the best of life is yet to come and that we shouldn’t wallow in what we should’ve done earlier in life.

“Approach the twilight of life with joy and hope,” preached Rabbi ben Ezra. Approach the last of life with eagerness, not gloom. For the last of life is the best of life. Trust God and be not afraid” (1951). How I can relate this to the business world and to leadership is that we shouldn’t put an age on how well people do things, or what we think people can do. I know several older individuals who can navigate a computer and a mobile device better than I can. I feel that it’s recognizing these traits, talents, and abilities and using them. I also believe that you’re never too old to reach your full potential.

“Grow old along with me. Live my kind of life, putting your faith and trust in God. Then you will be serene and happy in your old age; you will not be afraid of the end.” – Rabbi Abraham ben Meir ben Ezra

References:

Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.