Growing old gracefully
This cool new study just came across my e-desk: According to Veronica Buckley, Ed.D., adjunct professor at DePaul University’s School for New Learning, women who age vibrantly tend to possess qualities such as passion, adaptability, commitment to lifelong learning, a proactive approach to healthcare, positive relationships, high self-esteem and self-reliance.
The professor studied five high-achieving women over age 70 to suss out what propelled them to achieve vibrant aging (“vibrant aging” being defined as being sound in body and mind and maintaining sustained independence.) For example, Natsumi, 75, grew up in Japan during World War II. She married an American soldier and moved to the U.S. after the war – knowing little to no English, mind you – and with just a high school level education. Natsumi and her husband divorced, but she turned her lemons into lemonade, learning English, completing not just an undergraduate degree but two graduate degrees and is now pursuing a second doctorate (at 75!) She also teaches college courses and recently self-published her autobiography.
Buckley says it seems that the tendency of successful women like Natsumi to age well (or "vibrantly") is liked with their being content and accepting of their stage in life.
Ooh – another great example from the DePaul professor: Terri, 71, was raised in a single-parent home where, sadly, she experienced the suicide of her own mother, who took her life when Terri was in her 20s. But drawing on her inner strength, Terri broke the cycle of sadness (there were other suicides in her family) and became an elementary school teacher, marrying and raising a family. Like Natsumi, Terri divorced but nonetheless persevered, going back to school in her late 40s and became a therapist dedicated to counseling troubled teens and young adults.
This is such positive and motivating news! Keep your chins up…tomorrow is always another day and positivity and happiness could be right around the corner. Or, should I say, are right around the corner?
Comments
I love these ladies' positivity!! This is exactly how I want to be as I age. It's so great to see role models like this. Can you link to the original article, Leslie? I'd like to read the whole study! You know how I love studies... ;)
