What is Our Problem With Growing Old?
(I sent this to my parents and realized it might be worth sharing)
I know this is a bit random, but I came across this and thought I'd share. It's a very well-written article (in 4 parts) titled "Learning to Love Growing Old." Here's a link to page 1 and below are some of my own thoughts: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199409/learning-love-growing-old Perhaps the most interesting thing in this article is the discussion of the baby boomers. You are the generation of rebellion -- against the status quo, and really to some extent, against your parents' generation. These emotions were critical components of righting the course of history and re-energizing the power of the individual in America. This "don't trust anyone over 30" generation, however, is now wrapped up in the dominant mentality that aging is depressing and even shameful. The article makes some very interesting points about the rise of plastic surgeries and how Chinese culture stands opposite to American culture in viewing elder people as being full of life and wisdom (they note that Chinese elders outperform American elders on various metrics). We simply have unsustainable and inaccurate views of what it means to be an older person. Maybe even more interesting is their claim that our fear of aging, and the way that we anticipate memory loss, a general decline in cognitive abilities, etc., actually accelerates any physical or mental decline that might occur. "A landmark, 15-year longitudinal study...showed no measurable decline in many body functions until after age 70, and very little decline by 81." In short, they seem to say that along with proper exercise and continued engagement in the wold, a positive and accepting mentality of the beauty of growing older is crucial in living a full and happy life. I say all of this and feel that my generation has inherited this same unhealthy distrust of aging. I think it's evident in several aspects of our lifestyles -- and maybe even one of the reasons I fear being "employed." I'm personally working on re-balancing my approach to life a little; this article struck a chord with me and made me think of you guys -- hoping to provoke some thoughts and reflection! :) Love,Colin
