Say Yes to Life!

Gary Carlson, PhD

Life Expectancy—United States

In 1800 ~35 years

Life Expectancy—United States

In 1800 ~35 years

In 1900 ~47 years

Life Expectancy—United States

In 1800 ~35 years

In 1900 ~47 years

In 2000 ~77 years

“…What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”

Mary Oliver

The Summer Day

Tunisia

New Mexico

Bhutan

Rose and Vincent Pepitone--New York

Kampala—Hadza from Tanzania

J. Ray

Acoma Pueblo

Betty CraftOn her 94th Birthday

Tibet

Three Models of Aging

• Disengagement

Three Models of Aging

• Disengagement

• Status quo

Harry Heyman and Bill Helmich

Albuquerque, NM

Three Models of Aging

• Disengagement

• Status Quo

• Conscious Aging

Rabbi Zalman Schachter Shalomi

A Definition of Spiritual Eldering

SE is the process of becoming an elder; of reviewing one’s life; of coming to terms with mortality; of finding one’s personal truth and the meaning of one’s life; of effecting intergenerational healing; of transmitting one’s wisdom learned through life experience; of creating one’s legacy; and of being a mentor to others.

The Four Flames of Vital Aging(from Richard Leider,

Claiming Your Place at the Fire)

“Grow whole, not old”

• Identity• Community• Passion• Meaning

Definition of an ElderBarry Barkin

The Live Oak Project, El Sobrante, CA

An elder is a person who is still growing, still a learner,still with potential, and whose life continues to have within it

promise for and connection to the future.

An elder is still in pursuit of happiness, joy and pleasure,and her or his birthright to these remains intact.

Moreover, an elder is a person who deserves respect and honor, and whose work it is to synthesize wisdom from long life experience and formulate

this into a legacy for future generations.