something that offers up excitement, energy and joy. Hadden invites people to be curious and explore options.
“We’re designing our future around who we are and what we care about now,” she says. Try keeping a journal for several
weeks. Jot down issues and ideas that intrigue, aggravate and haunt. After several weeks, reflect on the links between concerns that compel and those that irritate. Perhaps we’re intrigued by a certain group of people or a compelling issue. “A concern points to problems and
people you want to help,” Hadden observes. This can range from lending a hand to struggling family members, maintaining our own health, volunteer- ing for a literacy project or working to reduce world hunger. “Choose what inspires you to get out of bed each day, eager to move into action.”
Develop Inner Frontiers People in their elder years may still be measured by midlife standards, which include physical power, productivity and achievement. “They come up short in the eyes of younger people,” dharma practitioner Kathleen Dowling Singh remarks. “But those standards do not define a human life.” Rather, aging allows us to disengage
from the pressures of appearances and accomplishments. As we release judgments and unwanted habits, we can increase our feelings of spirituality and peace. “When doors in the outer world seem to be closing, it’s time to cultivate inner resources that offer us joy and meaning. We have the beau- tiful privilege of slowing down and hearing what our heart is saying,” says Singh, of Sarasota, Florida. Meditation is one way to deepen
spiritually as we age. “Sit in solitude, gather your scattered thoughts and set an intention,” Singh suggests. “A daily practice shows what peace, silence and contentment feel like. As you become more comfortable, add time until you’re sitting for 20 to 40 minutes.”
42 NA Triangle
www.natriangle.com
Ellen Richard, 70, of Overland Park, Kansas, wanted to be of greater service. She asked herself, “What if I housed a foreign student?” and found the Inter- national Student Homestay Program. She embarked upon an exploration of cultures from around the world without leaving home. Today, Richard has hosted more
Nearly three-quarters of America’s adults believe they are lifelong learners.
It helps them make new friends and community
connections and
prompts volunteerism —PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Acknowledge Our Shelf Life
“We cannot speak about aging and awakening without speaking about death and dying,” Singh believes. “We need to confront our mortality.” Meditating on the coming transition
opens us up to the blessings of life. We can ask ourselves deep questions such as,
“What am I doing? What do I want? What does this all mean? What is spirit?” Singh believes such searching questions are vital. None of us knows how much Earth time we have to awaken to a deeper, fuller experience of the sacred.
Help the World In today’s world of chaos and crisis, the wisdom of elders is more important than ever. “Older people need to be engaged, using their insights to help the Earth, community and world,” Pevny says. Creative aging is about improving the future for subsequent generations. In 2008, longtime educator Nora
than a dozen female students and each relationship has expanded and enriched her life. “We talk about politics, food, religion and cultures; we even pray together,” Richard says. She points to memorable moments of bonding and respect, appreciation and celebration, and says, “As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned how vital it is to nurture the world I am in.”
Deborah Shouse is a writer, speaker, editor and dementia advocate. Her newest book is Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together. Connect at
DementiaJourney.org.
CREATIVE AGING
RESOURCES Center for Conscious Eldering
CenterForConsciousEldering.com Changing Aging
ChangingAging.org Dr. Bill Thomas
DrBillThomas.org
The Eldering Institute
Eldering.org
Elders Share the Arts
Estanyc.org
From Aging to Sageing
Sage-ing.org
Kathleen Dowling Singh
KathleenDowlingSingh.com National Center
for Creative Aging
CreativeAging.org
Shepherd’s Centers of America
ShepherdCenters.org
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock.com
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