GERO-TRANSCENDENCE Compassionate Aging: Wisdom that creates a positive quality of life

My Uncle Nathan in his 90's teaching himself Greek in Braille

      GeroTranscendence is a term used to describe those seniors who have gained, or retained, an unconditional love and acceptance of themselves, of others and of  life  - despite   challenging circumstances and its mysteries. 
     This attitude has brought about not only WISDOM but, as modern medicine is showing,  WELLNESS in LONGEVITY as well.  This is enlightenment; a marriage or integration in Oneness of the "worldly" and the "spiritual" dimensions - an understanding that the two are not separate aspects of Being Human.
      These wise elders have let drop their acquisition of many material things, have shed their masks and the roles they felt they needed to play [in order to be loved and accepted], are happy spending  time alone, as they no longer feel the need to be entertained as much as in their youth.  They appreciate community and connection too. And, they are making the most of their time.
    Today I am thinking about my grand-uncle, Nathan Steingold.   Growing up, I saw him mostly at family gatherings.  I remember him as very small in physical stature but possessing a very strong enthusiastic and energetic presence.  He appeared to me as extremely intelligent and proud, and used a sharp sense of humor born of keen observation that some of our contemporary political comedians might envy.  
     As the elder members of my extended family passed away, Uncle Nathan lived on.   When I was in my 30's, I visited him in an assisted care facility.  He was in his 90's.  He was legally blind by this time, but very present and alert and seemed at peace with his life.  In fact, he had not given up his enthusiasm for learning. 
My uncle  was teaching himself Greek--IN BRAILLE!
        The ENLIGHTENMENT of EMBRACING LIFE
As and as we delve more deeply into subjects such as "graceful aging", "conscious and compassionate aging", "living our wisdom" "transforming our life" in 2017 classes and workshops, we will shepherd shifts in our mindsets and points of view so as to allow ourselves to caringly and kindly accept ourselves AND our advancing years, and live them to the fullest!