Aging Today

Do we sit back with complacency and let others decide what we should be like as we age?

I believe we do. That is why reference to aging most often refers to being a burden on society, illness, loss of mobility, loss of memory, and dependency.

To be a senior, mature, and an elder is rather something to be proud of. It indicates we have lived and experienced years of lessons from living. We are wise and capable of even greater contributions to the world because of these years of living.

Proof of this is easy to find. Look at former leaders like Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and Mary Robinson; or actors like Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Judi Dench; or Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton…

Today we are proving that there is indeed life after 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and even 100! We are still running marathons, teaching, producing films, inventing, composing, leading, raising grandchildren, and making significant contributions in all areas of society.

It is time for us to stand in our own significance to speak out for what older people truly represent for society.

Bonnie Fatio