Sometimes the most powerful lessons on resilience, joy, and presence come from those who’ve already walked through a lifetime of chaos and beauty.
We live in a culture obsessed with youth, but let’s be honest—some of the most magnetic people you’ll ever meet are well into their seventies and beyond. These are the folks who seem to radiate wisdom and warmth in equal measure. You walk away from a five-minute conversation with them and feel like you’ve just been given a rare gift.
What’s their secret? It’s not perfect health, endless optimism, or a life without regrets. It’s something deeper. They’ve honed qualities over decades that make them stand out—not in a flashy way, but in the way they move through the world with grace and presence.
And the truth is, these qualities aren’t exclusive to those with more candles on the cake. They’re timeless traits any of us can cultivate, no matter our age. Let’s take a closer look at the nine that make these individuals unforgettable.
1. A sense of perspective
Have you noticed how people over 70 rarely get rattled by the small stuff? That’s perspective at work. After decades of ups and downs, they’ve learned the difference between what’s urgent and what’s truly important.
A delayed bus or a rude comment doesn’t throw them off balance—they’ve seen too much to waste energy on trivialities.
This calm perspective has a grounding effect on others. You feel steadier just being in their company. It’s as if their presence reminds you that life is bigger than today’s frustration.
And honestly, that’s inspiring. It shows us that resilience doesn’t come from controlling everything—it comes from knowing when to let things roll off your back.
2. Genuine curiosity
Here’s the surprising thing: the most inspiring elders aren’t the ones who just share stories—they’re the ones who ask questions. They’re genuinely curious about the world, about new ideas, about you.
Psychologists have long noted that curiosity is linked to lifelong brain health and deeper relationships. It keeps people open and adaptable rather than rigid. When someone in their seventies leans in and asks, “So what’s lighting you up these days?”—you feel seen.
That curiosity makes conversations feel fresh and alive, not one-sided lectures. It’s a reminder that staying young at heart isn’t about chasing trends, but about staying engaged. They inspire not by clinging to the past, but by showing that learning and connecting never get old.
3. Emotional honesty
I remember sitting with a woman in her late seventies who told me, without flinching, “I’m scared about losing my independence, but I’m grateful for every morning I wake up.” That kind of honesty stops you in your tracks.
People over 70 who inspire others aren’t afraid to name their emotions—whether joy, sadness, or fear. And the beauty of it? Their honesty doesn’t make them heavy to be around. It makes them deeply human.
As Rudá Iandê notes in his book Laughing in the Face of Chaos, “Our emotions are not barriers, but profound gateways to the soul—portals to the vast, uncharted landscapes of our inner being.” When someone lives that truth, you can’t help but feel braver about being real yourself.
4. Playfulness
Who says aging has to mean getting serious? Some of the most inspiring elders are the ones who still know how to laugh at themselves, crack a joke, or dance in the kitchen just because the music is good. Their playfulness is contagious.
It’s not about ignoring life’s hardships—it’s about balancing them with joy. Studies even show that humor and play are linked to better health outcomes and stronger social bonds. But beyond science, you feel it: their lightheartedness loosens you up.
When you see someone in their seventies or eighties finding delight in small things, it gives you permission to do the same. Their playfulness is proof that joy isn’t something you outgrow—it’s something you nurture.
5. A deep respect for time
Time hits differently once you’ve lived through seven decades. Many older people I admire aren’t in a rush, but they don’t waste time either. They’ll sit with you fully present, not half-scrolling through a phone or distracted by the next thing.
This respect for time shows up in how they value connection. They know moments matter, and they treat them as such. That makes you feel important, and honestly—it makes you want to slow down too.
It’s not about being efficient, but about being intentional. When someone in their seventies looks you in the eye and gives you their undivided attention, you remember it. Their presence becomes a gift that lingers long after the conversation ends.
6. Acceptance of imperfection
Perfectionism usually fades with age, and thank goodness for that. The people over 70 who inspire me most are the ones who shrug at life’s messiness instead of trying to tidy it all up. They’ll tell you about mistakes without shame, or show you a scar with a laugh.
This isn’t resignation—it’s wisdom. They’ve realized that imperfection is what makes life real. As Rudá Iandê puts it, “When we let go of the need to be perfect, we free ourselves to live fully—embracing the mess, complexity, and richness of a life that’s delightfully real.”
Their acceptance is freeing. Around them, you feel like you can drop the act, stop proving yourself, and just… be. And isn’t that the best kind of inspiration?
7. Generosity of spirit
It’s not always about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s the way someone over 70 remembers your child’s name, or how they slip you a handwritten note just to say they’re thinking of you. Their generosity isn’t rooted in wealth or resources—it’s in attention, kindness, and a willingness to share what they’ve learned.
This type of giving has a ripple effect. You leave feeling lighter, cared for, and oddly motivated to pass it forward. And that’s the thing: generosity doesn’t just inspire gratitude, it inspires action.
Being around such people makes you realize that the most valuable thing we can offer is ourselves—our time, our listening ear, our encouragement. They show us that generosity isn’t seasonal or situational. It’s a way of life.
8. Courage to keep evolving
Many think old age is the finish line, but inspiring elders prove otherwise. They’re still trying new recipes, learning languages, starting community projects. They know the human spirit isn’t meant to stagnate.
As Rudá Iandê writes in Laughing in the Face of Chaos, “True honor lies in embracing our role as evolutionary beings.” When someone in their seventies embodies that truth—stretching, adapting, reinventing—you can’t help but want to grow too.
Their courage doesn’t erase fear. It shows us that growth always requires a bit of daring. Seeing them thrive reminds you that evolution isn’t tied to age—it’s tied to willingness. And that’s a timeless lesson for us all.
9. A grounded sense of peace
Finally, there’s a quality you can almost feel before they even speak: peace. It’s not the absence of hardship—most have lived through heartbreak, loss, or health struggles. It’s a steady calm that comes from facing life as it is, not as they wish it were.
Their peace isn’t passive. It’s active acceptance. They know storms will come, but they also know they’ll pass. And standing near someone who’s reached that place makes you feel steadier too.
It’s a peace that doesn’t lecture or demand—it simply exists. And in a restless world, that stillness is magnetic. You leave their presence thinking, “That’s the kind of calm I want to cultivate.”
Final thoughts
The people over 70 who inspire us aren’t extraordinary because they’ve lived perfect lives. They’re extraordinary because they’ve lived real ones—and learned to carry wisdom, joy, and humanity forward.
These nine qualities—perspective, curiosity, honesty, playfulness, respect for time, acceptance, generosity, courage, and peace—aren’t reserved for a certain age. They’re skills, really. Skills we can practice now.
That’s what I find so encouraging. Inspiration doesn’t have to be something you wait decades to embody. As Rudá Iandê’s book reminded me, “The greatest gift we can give to ourselves and to each other is the gift of our own wholeness, the gift of our own radiant, unbridled humanity.”
Imagine what the world would look like if we all started living that truth today.
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