This is great, thank you. I'm 73 and am seeing the subtleties of ageism. I am healthy and vigorous in life, still working - coaching, consulting, mentoring, and teaching. My life is as rich as it's ever been, and I'm in the question of the best use of me at this point in my life. Approaching 60, I declared myself "elder" and assumed that responsibility. On my 70th birthday someone asked, "Any words of wisdom?" My response was that I refuse to be irrelevant.
Taking a stand (soft stand) for our value and wisdom is one way we can support our fractured world. Refuse to be irrelevant!!
Mark that is wonderful and that is exactly what I’m talking about. As you continue through your 70s and then into your 80s and maybe even 90s remember the same things hold true. We must remain vigorous and productive just as you are now. Thank you for your comment.
Allan, what a much-needed post! Our society views aging negatively, refusing to see older people as valuable wholes. I love this line: "The key idea is that we are more than just our physical conditions." So true. And society often forgets that younger people can have a plethora of physical conditions. I was one of them.
In my 30s I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. I was in excellent health, athletic, ate right, and didn't put harmful things into my body. I got cancer anyway. The chemotherapy and other medicines I had to take depleted my bone mass and caused other problems. My doctor treated me aggressively because he wanted me to have a long life.
I'm so grateful and lucky to have survived, and now I am aging. I have an arthritic back and aches and pains. Flexibility is compromised. I do work out at the gym, but I still ache. I realize that aging is a privilege denied to many, so I am grateful despite my limitations.
This is great, thank you. I'm 73 and am seeing the subtleties of ageism. I am healthy and vigorous in life, still working - coaching, consulting, mentoring, and teaching. My life is as rich as it's ever been, and I'm in the question of the best use of me at this point in my life. Approaching 60, I declared myself "elder" and assumed that responsibility. On my 70th birthday someone asked, "Any words of wisdom?" My response was that I refuse to be irrelevant.
Taking a stand (soft stand) for our value and wisdom is one way we can support our fractured world. Refuse to be irrelevant!!
Mark that is wonderful and that is exactly what I’m talking about. As you continue through your 70s and then into your 80s and maybe even 90s remember the same things hold true. We must remain vigorous and productive just as you are now. Thank you for your comment.
“When an elder dies, a library burns” is a quote attributed to Amadou Hampâté Bâ, a Malian intellectual who lived from 1901 to 1991.
I immediately purchased one of his books. I know nothing about him and look forward to learning.
Marc that is very impressive.
i enjoy your 82 years of elder-wisdom very much. thanks doc :)
Allan, what a much-needed post! Our society views aging negatively, refusing to see older people as valuable wholes. I love this line: "The key idea is that we are more than just our physical conditions." So true. And society often forgets that younger people can have a plethora of physical conditions. I was one of them.
In my 30s I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. I was in excellent health, athletic, ate right, and didn't put harmful things into my body. I got cancer anyway. The chemotherapy and other medicines I had to take depleted my bone mass and caused other problems. My doctor treated me aggressively because he wanted me to have a long life.
I'm so grateful and lucky to have survived, and now I am aging. I have an arthritic back and aches and pains. Flexibility is compromised. I do work out at the gym, but I still ache. I realize that aging is a privilege denied to many, so I am grateful despite my limitations.