ONE MINUTE MUSE™
Where has all the fun gone?
When I’m coaching younger people they often say, "
I’m not having fun anymore!" And I think to myself –
thank heavens, I thought it was just me. Everyone is so busy these
days, running fast in order to stand still. When did life become
so serious?
Summer is upon us and what better time to relax and add
a bit more fun into our lives. It may surprise you to learn that
laughter, creativity and play serve quite a serious purpose. They
are three important components of aging well.
George Vaillant has devoted his life to the study of successful
aging, which he defines as being ‘happy-well’ (not ‘sad-sick’)
into our late 70s and beyond. For 65 years, his prospective studies
of adult development have tracked the social, emotional and physical lives
of 824 American men and women, through regular personal interviews and
in-depth data. Some very surprising results are now emerging. Contrary
to popular opinion, successful aging is not statistically linked to parental
longevity or cholesterol count, (although these factors do help us to
survive middle age). Nor do income, race or social class make a
difference, once basic needs are met.
So what does matter? The ‘happy-well’
find joy in giving of themselves to younger people; they seek and create
meaning for their family and community; and they model integrity by accepting
the inevitable limitations of old age with grace and good humour. They
are happy and well because they are protected by good habits they developed
much earlier in life, such as not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption
and using mature defenses to handle stress. The strengths of hope,
love and gratitude shine in their daily lives. And in their last
two decades they enthusiastically engage in four essential activities:
playing, creating, learning new things and making new (younger) friends
as peers pass away.
So carpe diem – one day at a time! Let’s
use the lazy, hazy days of summer to take ourselves less seriously, exercise
our laughter muscles, reconnect with friends and community, and invite
a youngster to come out and play. Or as a wise mouse, Stuart Little,
once said as he paddled upstream in his tiny birch bark canoe Summer
Memories: Be a true friend. Do the right thing. And enjoy
the glory of everything!
How are you going to grow a little younger this summer?
Recipes for Aging
Well
Learn about the 8 factors that
predict healthy aging
Nuala has spent recent months learning new things with Martin
Seligman, father of positive psychology. She has developed a new
program, Positive
Aging and is eager to share with you the
numerous ways you can create a life filled with pleasure, engagement and
meaning. She will tailor a program to suit your specific needs.
Sources
George E Vaillant, M.D., Aging
Well, Little Brown and Company, 2002.
Martin E P Seligman Ph.D., Authentic Happiness Coaching Program,
2005
©
2005 Nuala Woodham. All rights reserved. One Minute Muse™
is published quarterly.
You are welcome to forward One Minute Muse™ in its entirety (with
sources and live web links).
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