Unexpected lessons in Ferrara

Last month I got the chance to spend a week in Ferrara for a company retreat. I had quite a bit of free time to walk around the city, soak in the atmosphere, visit its castle, and appreciate the food!

I also got a lovely introduction to the city by a local “greeter”, part of an association of volunteers who welcome visitors to Ferrara and offer free tours. My greeter met me on my first afternoon there and spent over three hours walking me around the city, pointing out his favorite spots and sharing personal reflections along the way.

I really enjoyed the experience, and there’s so much I could share from our conversation. Insights about the city’s history and art, but also broader reflections on life. Two moments, in particular, stood out.

An inspiring take on aging

Notice anything unusual about the two statues welcoming visitors at the entrance of the church?

On the left, there’s a young man, struggling to carry the weight of the world (or at least the pillar!) with both arms. On the right, an older man bears the same weight with just one arm and a noticeably more relaxed demeanor. His legs are even crossed.

It's a powerful reminder that aging has its challenges, for sure, but it also brings us experience and wisdom if we’re willing to accept life’s lessons and develop self-awareness. Instead of buying into society’s fixation on eternal youth, maybe we can choose to focus on the upside.

For me, this felt like a timely reminder. Middle age is drawing closer, and I sometimes find myself mourning the end of my youth. I mean, these days people in their 50s and even 60s are considered middle-aged, so I still have a ways to go, but I’m under no illusion that “40 is the new 20”!

There are definitely things I miss from my 20s and early 30s. But I’ve also become stronger, more resilient, and much better at navigating relationships. I love myself more now too (which, to be fair, wasn’t hard to improve on).

All those layers

The cathedral is currently undergoing major renovations after being damaged in an earthquake. Over the centuries, the building had evolved, layer upon layer. That became strikingly clear when cracks in its columns revealed the Romanesque columns underneath.

This posed a dilemma: what should be done about that?

In the end, the decision was to preserve the current columns while exposing portions of the older ones beneath them. It felt like another reminder: we’re all works in progress. And we’re better off when we don’t erase or reject our earlier versions, but instead acknowledge and build upon them. Just like those columns, we hold layers of who we’ve been, and those foundations are still part of who we are.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have suggestions or insights, feel free to share them in the comments. And if you know someone who might enjoy my posts, please pass them along.

Until next time,

ML

PS Ferrara pics