Aging Should Be a Continuing Advanture

I was both fascinated and somewhat envious as I read a recent New York Times
article about people who view old age as a never ending adventure. Pictured alancing on the wings of a small, prop plane with only a few wires to hold him in place, Tom Lackey age 89, is shown wing walking.

Tom took up this dare-devil activity to help relieve the grief of losing his wife. He has wing walked across the English Channel and hopes to soon be the first person of any age to wing walk “across the pond”, both ways. Also pictured was Ilse Telesmanich 84, riding a camel in Australia and I must admit, she looked a lot more secure and comfortable than I did when I tried the same feat during a trip to Morocco.

Elderhostel has now changed its’ name to Exploritas to reflect the idea that the urge to explore, to see and experience the unusual, the totally out of the ordinary, has no age limitations.

John Weinstein of Adler Travel in Hamden informs me that he now offers an even more extensive selection of trips especially designed for senior travelers and the demand for them increases each year. Incidentally, Mrs. Telesmanich, now 90,sprained her ankle on her last trip but still plans to hike in South Africa this summer.

Rescue experts feel older people may be safer in many activities than their younger counterparts because seniors are more prepared, know what their limits are and aren’t as prone to show off or act foolishly. My feeling on the matter is that I’m just as likely to take a fall here in Branford as I am while sightseeing in Turkey and if I should fall while visiting the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, at least I will ave that memory to savor during recuperation.

Unfortunately, the cost of trip ancellation and evacuation insurance (both advisable) is much more expensive as we age. Of course, “ageless explorers” aren’t necessarily just those who love to travel.
Men and women who are life-long learners, always taking up challenges such as learning to paint, to become an expert at bridge or yoga, learning a new language or
returning to school---- these folks are living their “bonus years” to the fullest.

Your local school district offers many stimulating classes through the Adult Education programs and for a wonderful variety of short term classes held during the day,be sure to look into The Institute for Learning in Retirement. (Phone 1-800220-0458 for information). The current AARP Bulletin features a long list of free online sites where you can take classes or listen to famous lecturers.

I tried the web site “Open culture” and found I could download lessons for 37 different languages, 250 free courses on anything from Archeology and Art History to the Politics of Food (is broccoli Democratic or Republican fare?) Two other intriguing web sites are Video lectures.Net and Wonder How To. Other seniors have found self-fullfillment through meaningful volunteer work. For help in matching your skills to volunteer opportunities go to www.volunteermatch.org/.

The start of a new decade is a good time to re-assess what you want from life and what makes you really happy. Do not let others discourage you… you know your own talents and capabilities and what makes life exciting for you. Standing still is more dangerous than daring to move ahead. Be open to new possibilities… take a risk… try something new….

Take the road less traveled!

I'm reading: Aging Should Be a Continuing Advanture

Predicting the Unpredictable

Here we are, rushing headlong into not only a new year but a new decade as well
and the pundits are busy predicting what is in store for all of us. While it may be
fascinating to think that we can see into the future, a new book by Paul Milo shows
just how foolhardy that can be. Called, “Your Flying Car Awaits”, it is a guide to
some major “oops” and phenomenally inaccurate predictions made by some clever

people. Among some of the forecasts about what our life would be like today:

• Space tourism by the year 2,000
• Nuclear explosives used for commercial demolition
• Man-made oceans will cover the planet
• Weather will be as predictable and controllable as a train schedule.
• Underwater cities
• Two hundred year life spans

Ann Mack, Director of Trend-spotting from J. Walter Thompson while not a clairvoyant, is in the business of short term predictions based on current trends and according to their Executive Summary report, here are some important trends for 2010:

Retooling for an aging world: With the world’s population aging, watch for a
proliferation of products and services that cater to this group as they strive to live independently for as long as they can.

Searching for stability: Consumers will continue to exercise restraint until they see clear, dependable signs of stability. Consumers will also be working harder than ever, putting more time and energy into finding good values. As banks, airlines and
other ailing service industries impose complex fees and conditions on customers, failure to pay close attention will be costly.

Maximum Disclosure: Legal requirements and competitive pressures will force fuller disclosure from ingredients and calorie counts to carbon footprints and sourcing. Additionally, as the eco spotlight focuses on the environmental costs of

packaging, brands will switch to items that reduce, reuse, recycle and renew.

Life in real time: The web is evolving into a constantly updating stream of real-time information, conversation and images which creates a mass culture. Shifting perceptions of “current” move modern life into the “now”. Use of the web and phone messaging has also given rise to a new vocabulary of “buzz words”.

Some examples are: The new normal: The recession has forced Americans to change
their lives in many ways. With less disposable income, it’s a world of “new normals”. Buycotting: A conscious effort to buy from companies whose environmental and social policies you support…. the opposite of a boycott.

Delab: A dead celebrity who is still making money. Some examples are Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley. John Lennon and Dr. Seuss. Deficit Neutral: This term—
meaning bills that pay for themselves over a certain budget period will become a mainstay of political debate.

What all of this tells us is that we have a human need to want to know what lies
a‘head. The unpredictable makes us uncomfortable. However, for those of us who
have been around a ‘while, have already learned, “Life is what happens when we’re
making other plans”.

I'm reading: Predicting the Unpredictable

Turning over a new leaf in a New Year?

I have decidedly ambivalent feelings about New Year’s resolutions. On one hand,I seriously doubt that many of them last much past the beginning of February . Unfortunately, many people use their new year’s resolutions for a new start on old habits. On the other hand, I must have absorbed some of the traditions surrounding the new year as it is celebrated in Japan, during our four year stay there. Every corner of the house was cleaned until it shone, all debts had to be paid and for everything you did on New Year’s Day, you put forth your very best effort, since the new year represented a new beginning… a fresh start. I do like the idea that no matter what our past mistakes, everyone is entitled to a fresh start. After all, January was named for the Roman god, Janus, who had two heads; one to look back at the year past and one to look forward to the new year. So if you are determined to get rid of some bad habits or just hope to be a better person in 2010,the Center for Health Promotion has some suggestions:

1. Make a plan and set goals that are
realistic
manageable
measurable

2. When setting goals, be mindful of all the other things in your life that you will need to balance.

3. Things to Consider
Don’t expect too much too soon. Set reasonable targets.
What obstacles are in the way? How will you deal with them?
A support system can help you stick to your plan.
Don’t forget the power of positive thinking.
Expect bumps in the road and use them to learn.
A blip here and there doesn’t mean you can’t reach your goal.

4. Things to remember
Change occurs gradually.
Setbacks are to be expected. They are part of the change process.
Seek expert advice and help


It is worth trying to be the best you can be every day. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Wishing you a New Year in which your wise choices become regular habits that result in good health and happiness.

I'm reading: Turning over a new leaf in a New Year?

Let’s say we’re off to a fresh start and leave it at that

I have decidedly ambivalent feelings about New Year’s resolutions. On one hand, I seriously doubt that many of them last much past the beginning of February.
Unfortunately, many people use their New Year’s resolutions for a new start on old habits. On the other hand, I must have absorbed some of the traditions surrounding the new year as it is celebrated in Japan, during our four-year stay there. Every corner of the house was cleaned until it shone, all debts had to be paid and for everything you did on New Year’s Day, you put forth your very best effort, since the new year represented a new beginning ... a fresh start.

I do like the idea that no matter what our past mistakes, everyone is entitled to a fresh start. After all, January was named for the Roman god, Janus, who had two heads; one to look back at the year past and one to look forward to the new year. So if you are determined to get rid of some bad habits or just hope to be a better person in 2010, the Center for Health Promotion has some suggestions:

1. Make a plan and set goals that are realistic, manageable and measurable.

2. When setting goals, be mindful of all the other things in your life that you will need to balance.

3. Don’t expect too much too soon and set reasonable targets.

4. What obstacles are in the way? How will you deal with them?

5. A support system can help you stick to your plan.

6. Don’t forget the power of positive thinking.

7. Expect bumps in the road and use them to learn. A blip here and there doesn’t mean you can’t reach your goal.

8. Remember, change occurs gradually, and setbacks are to be expected. They are part of the change process.

Seek expert advice and help.

It is worth trying to be the best you can be every day. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Wishing you a new year in which your wise choices become regular habits that result in good health and happiness.

I'm reading: Let’s say we’re off to a fresh start and leave it at that

So much for flying cars and made-to-order weather

Here we are, rushing headlong into not only a new year, but a new decade as well, and the pundits are busy predicting what is in store for all of us. While it may be fascinating to think that we can see into the future, a new book by Paul Milo shows just how foolhardy that can be.

Called “Your Flying Car Awaits,” it is a guide to some major “oops” and phenomenally inaccurate predictions made by some clever people. Among some of the forecasts about what our life would be like today:

- Space tourism by the year 2,000

- Nuclear explosives used for commercial demolition

- Man-made oceans will cover the planet

- Weather will be as predictable and controllable as a train schedule.

- Underwater cities

- 200-year life spans

Ann Mack, director of Trendspotting from J. Walter Thompson, while not a clairvoyant, is in the business of short-term predictions based on current trends, and according to one of their reports, here are some important trends for 2010:

- Retooling for an aging world: With the world’s population aging, watch for a proliferation of products and services that cater to this group as they strive to live independently for as long as they can.

- Searching for stability: Consumers will continue to exercise restraint until they see clear, dependable signs of stability. Consumers will also be working harder than ever, putting more time and energy into finding good values. As banks, airlines and other ailing service industries impose complex fees and conditions on customers, failure to pay close attention will be costly.

- Maximum Disclosure: Legal requirements and competitive pressures will force fuller disclosure, from ingredients and calorie counts to carbon footprints and sourcing. Additionally, as the eco-spotlight focuses on the environmental costs of packaging, brands will switch to items that reduce, reuse, recycle and renew.

- Life in real time: The Web is evolving into a constantly updating stream of real-time information, conversation and images, which creates a mass culture. Shifting perceptions of “current” move modern life into the “now.” Use of the Web and phone messaging has also given rise to a new vocabulary of “buzz words.” Some examples are:

- The new normal: The recession has forced Americans to change their lives in many ways. With less disposable income, it’s a world of “new normals.”

- Buycotting: A conscious effort to buy from companies whose environmental and social policies you support ... the opposite of a boycott.

- Delab: A dead celebrity who is still making money. Some examples are Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Dr. Seuss.

- Deficit Neutral: This term, meaning bills that pay for themselves over a certain budget period, will become a mainstay of political debate.

What all of this tells us is that we have a human need to want to know what lies ahead. The unpredictable makes us uncomfortable. However, those of us who have been around awhile have already learned, “Life is what happens when we’re making other plans.”

I'm reading: So much for flying cars and made-to-order weather