James Hollis is a licensed Jungian Analyst and professor of Jungian studies. Hollis served as Executive Director of the Jung Educational Center in Houston, Texas for many years, was Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington until 2019, and now serves on the JSW Board of Directors. Hollis has written sixteen books covering different aspects of the life journey such as, living an examined life, finding meaning and purpose, life passage and personal growth.
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life, was a refreshing read. The book looks at how we define maturity and the task of mature adulthood beyond the conventional cultural definitions of having a stable career, marriage, children, and a home. It emphasizes the importance of continued growth and maturity development between the ages of thirty-five to seventy in order to create a life of meaning for the second half of life. As Hollis puts it, “to evolve and become fully ourselves”. Hollis explains how “finding meaning” is rooted in consciously taking responsibility for one’s choices in life, and where those choices have led us rather than seeing through the lens of having been betrayed or cheated by life or projecting our lack of satisfaction in life onto others. This is not a quick-fix book, with formulaic “take stock of yourself” to-do lists.
It does offer thoughtful grounded psychology, and some great life focused reflection questions to consider as a starting place for personal change and future growth. This book is for anyone ready to look at themselves honestly, and ask tough questions about where they’ve been and where they are going. I would highly recommend this book for young adults, late twenties- early thirties.
