At the ripe old age of 100, he says he’s not done yet. I admire anyone who still has more arrows in their quiver at such a mature age. The world is celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s birthday; like me, they think that as long as one has passion and strength to continue, age should never impede anyone from continuing to do great things with their lives. 

But as many get older, they don’t see the rest of their days as Attenborough does. Their lives’ work done, they seem ready to rest on their laurels. And yes, we all have the freedom to do what we wish with our lives. For me though, there’s better way; namely, the “way of the good life” – of giving, continuing to improve our communities and the earth that has nurtured us for so long.  

Sir Attenborough’s life has been one of revealing to us the magic and majesty of nature even as he pointed out to where man’s actions have caused rents in nature’s pattern. To me, his thinking approximates that of Charles Darwin and generations of our astronauts. Deeper knowledge of nature or viewing the Earth from afar sparks man’s wonderment of nature’s and “creation’s” beauty and unity. Listening to folks who’ve viewed Earth from afar allows us to appreciate how precious our environment and our neighborhoods are. I believe that we can enhance our understanding of what we are as a species, using our imagination, complementing it all with what the Attenboroughs and astronauts of the world tell us. 

What I’m getting at is that we have the ability of doing more with the days we still have in our lives — no matter how small it may seem. The “blue marble” that is our Earth needs to be tended to by as many of us as possible. 

Far too often, we discourage senior citizens — such as Attenborough and other mature folks — from contributing to the world they helped create. Everything about our society seems geared at segregating society. Thus, there’s a reason we don’t invite retirees — many of whom are reservoirs of wisdom and knowledge — to participate in K-12 school activities. I say this not as a criticism of our school system, but merely as an observation of the stifling nature that school violence, parental militancy have wrought to our society and that does no one any good. As we all know, even the smallest act, be it of kindness or harm, has an effect on the sum total of all our lives.  

Unlike Attenborough, none of us has a similar body of work upon which we can expand. My idea does not imply that we wish to be recognized, to be on TV or to become “influencers.” My thought is, each capable “old person” should throw away the constricting language that inhibits the mind’s ability to imagine. Yes, I admire 90-year-olds who go skydiving. I would admire them more if they also mentored poor parentless children, a much harder endeavor, one that has greater beneficial returns to the local community, and in a wider sense, the larger world. 

My thoughts are for the ordinary, local mortal, whose sphere of influence is limited, but whose power of volunteerism is a mighty potent force. For her, reading to children, helping teachers with school outings to museums, art gallery visits, theater visits, would be beneficial to children, as well as to the elders themselves. That is, if local schools would ask for such help. These things are being done by some; they however can be part of a more potent volunteer movement. 

When the forces of darkness close the doors of the spaces humanity occupies, we must endeavor to force those doors open. The internet can be isolating and stultifying, but can be put to good use, by forming groups to tend to the environment, to conserve, to beautify, to make the life of every citizen richer, and worthier.  

It’s a long distance from a famous centenarian to the elderly volunteering for our elementary schools. But there’s a unity in my ideas and thoughts. It is: let’s see ourselves as part of a greater whole. It is appreciating what wisdom and knowledge and experience we accumulate in 60, 70, 80 years we are around, and that can be shared to make ours a more livable planet for generations to come. 

Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships; co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students’ STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, a Huffington Post blogger, a past columnist for Denver dailies and is featured on the podcast, “Never Again.”