[022] – Thriving in Our Third Act: The Aspirations Series Begins

Story #022

Are You Hiding Your Superpowers Behind a Mask?

Max J Miller

August 18, 2025

The Aspirations Series: Naming the Ideals of a Thriving Third Act

As I’ve shared in several editions, my story model includes two essential elements: aspiration and struggle. Previously, I’ve written about the challenges, and even crises, of aging (see, for example, [015] on the Crisis of Belonging and [017] A User’s Guide to Aging Brain Operating System). I’ve written about struggle every week.

Last week, I spoke of fear as a special aspect of struggle that merits designation as an essential story element (alongside aspiration and struggle) [021].

This week, I’m beginning a series exploring the aspirations of those of us committed to thriving in our third act. 

Dictionaries define aspiration as a strong desire, a longing, or an aim. In my usage, the term is more like an ideal that we commit ourselves to embodying and expressing. Aspirations, in this sense, are like a mountain with no top. 

Aspirations are mountains without summits: practices, not finish lines.

Aspirations may include, for example, being a person of integrity or being loving. In both of these cases, you can easily see how there is no final destination to arrive at once and for all, but there is a lifetime of practice to refine our expression of them as our chosen ideals.

Aspirations transcend goals. For example, you may have a goal to remarry. The aspiration that transcends that goal might be to be fulfilled inside a loving relationship.

In many great stories, the aspiration that drives (or draws) the character isn’t articulated but implied. As the writers and directors of our life story, I feel we must do the work to clarify and call out our aspirations. It turns out, conscious and intentional aspirations give meaning to our lives.

A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?

– Robert Browning

I’ve frequently addressed the struggles that we share in common in our third act. I assert there are, likewise, aspirations that are common among us in this stage of life.

For the next several weeks, I plan to focus my writing on one aspiration worthy of our consideration. 

What aspirations would you include among the essentials for thriving in our third act?

Please, please, please take some time to reflect on this, and then hit reply and share your thoughts with me. I’m genuinely interested in your input.

Shine,

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