Many of us learned our alphabet & numbers even before our first school day. Teachers introduced us to math & English, science & history, art & music. Coaches worked with us on our swing, our throw, our jump. Human Resources & managers & career mentors helped us navigate the work world, while countless supporters helped us tackle being parents without too many goof ups. Dr. Spock et al helped us take a more informed approach to parenting, while Stephen Coven illustrated the seven habits of highly effective families. Julia Child showed us how to master French cooking, while Bob Vila demonstrated how to home repair & renovation.
Who is out there to teach us how to master the art of aging well? Or to instruct our loved ones & friends in the intricacies of elder support?
Living out our lives in as a vibrant long sunset rather than a dull interminable twilight takes more than a different skill set than what served our earlier years – it requires a revolutionary new mindset.
Some people begin working on developing that new mindset long before they reach their 70s. But they are the blessed few. What about the rest, who enter old age as unprepared as a kid entering high school without reading skills? Where do we look for remedial courses in living well to the very last? And how do we youngers help older loved ones dredge up the determination & courage necessary to master rather than shie away from this new era of life & living?
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