"Adding Life to Our Years"

My experience in the Life@Elon adult enrichment courses this semester has been outstanding. The course variety and the quality of instructor have exceeded all expectations. The following are my notes from an excellent course entitled "Adding Life to Our Years."

"The hallmark of aging is the reduced ability to respond adaptively to environmental change. Adaptation is the key. Both the positive and the negative are important, and it is the pull/tension between the two that causes growth, if properly managed (as in Erickson's Psychological Stages). It is the adapting and the responding that matters. Neither wisdom nor sound health come automatically with age. We stay the same (young and healthy) by being in a constant state of flux. It is the adapting and the interplay that both strengthens us physically and that makes us wiser.

The concept of Homeostasis, the state of balance in the body and mind, is important. This balance is maintained by a series of negative feedback mechanisms (like challenges), such as when the thermostat in the home rises when the temperature in the house gets cool in order to regain the proper temperature........ in order to maintain proper balance. We must change......challenge ourselves......so that we are required to adapt in that effort to maintain and stay the same.

We must constantly challenge ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually, such as in "circuit training", that is, not engaging in the same activity repeatedly. We must incorporate variety and change into everyday activities. Value the struggle and the challenge......do not value ease and comfort.

"I am not my body", is a critical concept. We are, in essence, a soul and a spirit......soul, in this context, meaning mind, will, and emotions. There is more to life than functioning well. Go deep, be deep, be reflective.

Social connections are closely related to longevity. Have many of them. It's not the events of life that stress us, it's what we think of the events, what we tell ourselves about the events, which stresses us. Be in the moment. Do not multi-task, when avoidable. Don't act like, look like, sound like, or be like any of the "senior" stereotypes (to the extent possible). Don't use the term "senior moment".

"Life consists of what a person is thinking about all day." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson. That is the most important concept. LOVE.....honor others, forgive, express gratitude and hope, be passionate, and be attentive to the present and to the moment. Attention is sacred. Stay engaged in life and in the community. Continue "to become." Be a part of something larger. Aging can be a great, transformative process.

To Add Life to Our Years: 1) Be present, 2) Feed the body, soul, and spirit, 3) Challenge the body, soul, and spirit, and 3) Do what you were made to do."

Instructor - Charity Johannson, PT, PhD, GCS - Associate Professor, Elon University
Student, Note Taker - Bob Godfrey, M.Ed., (Elon College, 1971 - UNC-G, 1972)

(The two guys pictured above are at a baseball game....... attempting to "add life to our years"....... friend, and Elon graduate, Jack McKeon, 81-year old manager of the 2011 Florida Marlins, as well as manager of the 2003 World Champion Marlins, and yours truly).

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That Most Important Underlying 'Social Contract'

GOP Debate Audience Behavior Magnifies Divide

The divide in America is deepening. A continued sluggish economy, high unemployment, a divisive media, more access to information, a black President, a growing sense of bitterness in those on the far extremes, are just some of the reasons and indications. The audience behavior at the Republicans debates is both indicative of the growing divide and should be a source of great concern to all of us.

In last night's debate, the audience booed a video of a gay soldier serving in Iraq who has 'come out' after repeal of DADT. In the California debate at the Reagan Library, the audience applauded mention of the high number of executions in Texas and Rick Perry's support of the death penalty. In the Tampa, CNN-Tea Party Express debate, the audience cheered to idea of letting a 30-year old uninsured man die without care. Videos of all of those are available on Youtube.

I do not think we can solve the economic problems of America until we are better able to sit down around the table of humanity and respect our differences. I am strongly on the opposite side of those Republican audiences on the three issues mentioned above (and I feel repulsed by the audience response). Even so, it is value of mine to try and respect the attitude, values, opinions, and beliefs of others. But as extreme and vehement as these Republicans positions are, it would make it difficult for me to negotiate in good faith around economic issues with these people. I know that is likely the case in Congress.

The answer evades me. I hate to sound 'old', but I have never seen it like this. I suggest both sides do intense self-examination, but that Republicans, in particular, look to their inner being, to their core, to "the better angels of their nature", to higher level instincts. I suggest they not build their arguments, priorities, and passions around the issue of money and economics. Those material and financial solutions will follow a deeper commitment to higher level human and spiritual principles.

There's a great Navajo proverb which says: "We're living in the middle of 7 generations, three behind us (parents, grandparents, great grandparents), and three ahead of us (children, grandchildren, great grandchildren). Everything we do should be measured against ,'will it honor the ancestors', and, 'will it serve the children'." Please, let's wake up as a human family.