There is a lot of negative press about aging. Some of it rings true, but a lot of it comes from ignorance and self defeating predictions. Young and Old alike have for years bought into the adage: You can’t teach and old dog new tricks. But researchers such as Gene D Cohen have proved the exact opposite. Look around you, think of the many great things taken on and accomplished by people late in life: Jimmy Carter, Pope Francis, Donald Trump and many more people in the news are examples that disprove the adage. You might say that those mentioned had the momentum of their career, an organization and money behind them, but think of your own family and friends–perhaps your own self. You will find all sorts of accomplishments of people in their later life. Every time you laugh at a joke or agree with denigrating remarks about aging, you are adding to this cultural block and dangerous mindset that getting old only brings a negative existence.
People who are successful in Aging are not without their physical and emotional trials of loss and adjustment, but generally they have an energy and creativity that is a driving force for them. The vitality of their creativity liberates them from the unpleasant aspects that all of us live with. Creativity is not limited to the Arts, it can be anything that you pour your heart into: gardening, cooking a meal, going on a road trip, a bicycle trek….The trick is that you focus and create something that excites you and then share your accomplishment with others. This whole process brings you joy and actually grows your brain. So next time you think of something that you want to do or accomplish–go for it–grow for it. Susan
