What do you think Erikson meant when he said “looking back over one’s life and accepting its meaning”?
After reaching late adulthood and experiencing all life has to offer, looking back and accepting it's meaning is subjective to the individual and what experiences they value and make meaning of
I think Erikson may be referring to a person’s final reflection on their life's achievements, whether their life directions have been followed as hoped.
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The previous page did not have this quote, but to look back on one's life and accept it's meaning sounds to me like the person has made peace with their past (good and bad things that have happened) and they accept their fate.
To me that means reflecting on life and finding meaning or purpose in all its parts, achievements and failures. A surrendering to the journey...
Erikson meant that in older age, people look back on their life and try to make peace with it. If they accept their choices and feel satisfied, they experience integrity; if not, they may feel regret or despair.
I guess making peace with oneself, finding some inner peace and acknowledging the choices you made to live your life. I always think that when I'm old and look back on my life, I want to feel proud of the person I am. I guess in a way, my future self is a driver for my current self.
That whatever you achieved in your life was worthwhile, you had contributed something to future generations.
From my understanding, I believe it means coming into terms with what life is now presenting.
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I think it means a sense of understanding of your unique journey and not getting stuck in regret or bitterness or other 'negative' emotions about the life you lived and choices you made.
Deciding based on your experiences what the main "point" or lesson of your life was. Who you chose to be based on the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them
coming to terms with choices made in the past and being satisfied with what they have achieved?
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I think it meant looking back over past events and decisions made and wondering was it the right decision and being ok with how your life turned out
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I think that Erikson is saying by accepting what has happened in our lives, we need to reflect and enjoy the positives and come to terms or fine peace with the negatives, or regrets of our past.
Being able to look at all the events and experiences with acceptance, not to regret or begrudge what could have been.
I think Erikson may have been referring to accepting decisions made in the past, over the life time, while coming to terms with the meaning or what has come of ones life, and being content with whatever that is.
I think he meant that as people approach the later stages of life, they naturally reflect on their past. This reflection may bring mixed feelings of regret and pride. What is done is done; it involves accepting one’s life as it has unfolded and engaging in an honest process of self-review.
My interpretation was that when you get to the end of your life, you have more time on your hands and can reflect, if you feel you didn't live up to your potential or have deep regrets that will cause despair.