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Blog archive

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Redefining Aging As An Adventure

By Blog Master
Posted: 12/03/2020
Tags:

My friend Michael Patterson wrote an article about aging, comparing it to the adventure myth that every society seems to have. I found this a very interesting concept. When

embarking upon a new adventure, one never knows quite what to expect. It is an

experience filled with unexpected twists and turns of events, joys and challenges, and

sometimes even dangerous situations.


It seems an apt comparison, and a constructive way to view the aging process. As we

enter this stage of our lives, typically somewhere in our 60s, we are embarking upon a

new stage of life without knowing quite what to expect. There are those who have gone

before us, of course, but each person’s experience is new and different.


As I look at my own experience of aging, observing my fellow Villagers and other friends

and neighbors, I see many people in their 80s and beyond who are intellectually active,

still very much engaged in life, and making positive contributions to the world in which

they live. This is inspirational, and very uplifting. It is a wonderful thing to feel a part of.

 We need to celebrate these moments.


It seems to me that we could divide our aging into stages. Perhaps in our 60s we

conclude a career path; our offspring have left home and hopefully established

themselves. Like children, we may embark on new plans and activities – travel, hobbies,

learning new skills. Our 70s could be compared to our teen years, casting about for

who we’re going to be when we “grow up.” We are entering a new phase, recognizing

that we have limitations, but I think that real old age begins at 80. That is somewhat like

reaching the age of maturity.


I take encouragement from this, because at 83, it means that I’m still young. I have only

recently entered the age of serious maturity. It gives me a lot to look forward to. I joined

the Pasadena Village to meet people, and I found a whole bunch of friends – many older than me – who are active and doing interesting things. The Village gives us opportunities to

participate, but more important it gives us opportunities to engage and contribute to the

greater good. I realized that I had something to offer, and that was very rewarding.

Meeting new challenges provides a sense of exhilaration and accomplishment. Being

part of the Village gave me insight and appreciation for what lies ahead.



Here's something that illustrates the concept of redefining aging in the personal experience of a Village member. This composition captures the essence of what redefining aging means.


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