Another Spring sure does feel good, doesn't it?
I'm in the final stages of creating the curriculum for the April 4-May19 program, and I can hardly stand it, I'm so excited as we Move Forward into Awe. Several people have asked me, "Why did you choose AWE as the focus?" Because AWE is our fuel. It's why Being Alive is worth the effort.
The last program "RETIRED? REWIRE!" we started every class in awe: my, friend and class attendee, Pinna Joseph, asked if she could sing for us. Imagine starting the morning in awe listening to her angelic glorious voice. By the way, she WILL be attending the second program as well and yes, I've already asked her if she would sing for us again.
Want to know more? Hot off the press, here's a link to a terrific article written from the Phoenix Jewish News. The buzz is on!!
Every Day Awe is a moment of sudden insight or discovery that is beyond profound and beautiful:
- Sunrise or sunsets are World Famous here in Arizona
- I'm still recovering from seeing and hearing Elvis sing for the first time
- Holding and loving a baby of any kind (human, puppy, kitty, goat or hummingbird)
- See a daisy pop out of the crack in the sidewalk when I am on my routine walk: I'm Here! Look at ME!
Guess what? More awe-inspiring experiences make us happy AND help our nervous and immune systems....awe is good for us!
How to Age has become the rage! Why? Because so many of us are Boomers. This is our last chance to make a difference, to BE that difference. We are the trailblazers. We are the Elders, hopefully, the Modern Elder, that's showing those younger than us, (which is everybody, right?), what this pro-aging life looks like. Our wisdom is rich. We hope you ask us for truth-telling stories, and experiences worth remembering, as well as be with us in the present moment.
I'm still learning. Although I fall into the rabbit hole too often on FB, I stay curious about fashion, books and films, and The World. My dear Friend asked me, " What terrifies you about being still?" I'm still looking for the answer to that question. Fortunately, she referred me to this book by Sylvia Boorstein "Don't Just Do Something, Sit There." I read the title often, knowing it's waiting for me to begin...
Listen to my most recent podcast interview with Travia Steward
Talk to me. Join me for the April 4 class. Join me April 16 at the Aging Conference. Listen to me on the Travia Steward podcast. Connect with me! Susan@SusanLBrooks.com.
JoyAnn was born 4 minutes after her twin sister, and for most of her life she 'considered herself 'second best.' She worked for years doing floral interior design. She was married for 28 years to a man who didn't support her growth for change.
At age 53, once her daughter was 18, Joann changed her name and her life. She became JoyAnn and she opened her heart and mind to a tremendous vision: to create a platform, a book, and a documentary film that 'changes the conversation about how to live agelessly.'
On June 14, there will be a launch of the film where 37 women, ages 60-97, share their stories and how they overcame challenges around aging. I will be there!!
Click here for the The Ageless Voices trailer link
Every part of Joy Ann's vision "celebrates the joy of growing and expanding vs the old paradigm of fear and decline. I want to get my mission out to the world. I want to drive a motor van with my twin sister from town to town, showing this documentary film to organizations, clubs, and non-profits, to share the faces and voices of 'my stars' in this film. It's been a collaborative effort! Finding sponsors, funding, crowd-funding. We got creative and intentional. The right people keep showing up! Now we're a tribe of women changing the conversation about aging!"
"I don't consider myself exceptional. I am proud to have created and live by a positive message and mindset. I'm in awe of how my message now has a grand purpose."
"We are the Change-Makers! I'm so grateful to have experienced it all. We are not 'elderly.' We continue to live agelessly."
JoyAnn is the founder of Facebook's Ageless Messenger Tribe with close to 300 members. Each post is an inspirational contribution, a story with a powerful message. I invite you all to join us on FB.
"Even though my physical body is 80, and in June at the launch party, I'll be 81, my mindset feels very young. It's a choice! How we focus where our mind goes, welcoming ideas that stretch us instead of 'I can't do this. I'm too old.'
I always have dreams. I visualize my next 25 years as Fun, Fearless, and Fabulous!"
If retirement or the next chapter is calling your name, if I can help you realize your vision in business and lifestyle, email me. Let's make it happen now! Susan@SusanLBrooks.com.
*Chip Conley, best-selling author and speaker, hospitality entrepreneur and leading thought leader, created The Modern Elder Academy's mission "to inspire the ability to reframe a lifetime of experience and recognize one's mastery, relevance, and value in the modern workplace." The Modern Elder* is Conley's term and effort that "liberates and inspires us to embrace wisdom as a path of growing whole, not old...The Modern Elder marries wisdom and curiosity."
Every month this newsletter will Feature the stories and wisdom of Modern Elders.
Share your Modern Elders with us...maybe it's you!! Please send in your Modern Elder Story along with a one-line Wisdom statement plus photo to be featured. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT.
Today, I am 77 years old, and proud of it! Paul Simon, who is now in his 80's said it best years ago: us boomers were BORN AT THE RIGHT TIME!
Yes, I was born at the right time! I'm still a hippie from the 60's, I marched for civil rights for all humans, equal rights for women, waving my bra with the best. I am proud to be living and growing in a robust marriage of 57 years. I survived motherhood, and so did my now-adult children. I was an award-winning woman business owner when there were but a few of us. I've learned a whole bunch of lessons, and more importantly, I've earned my fair share of Wisdom, too. I am Pro-Age!
According to Chip Conley, one of today's leading thought leaders: "Experience is making a comeback. Wisdom never grows old." Chip created the hallmarks of the Modern Elder*: "learning to marry wisdom and experience with curiosity, cultivating a beginner's mind so that learning never ends, exemplifying a willingness to evolve both as a student and sage." Research shows that shifting our mindset about Aging can add 7.4 happy years to a person's life.
Proud to say I am a graduate of the Modern Elder Academy as well as an active participant in Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience, and Spirit programs. As one of the creators and hosts of the Thrive@55 event, we celebrated our female community leaders who were 55+.
As long as I'm able to see the sunrise every morning and keep a curious mind, there's more living to do, so much more to learn, and so many new ways to serve. Trailblazer that I am, and always will be, I recognize my next mission: by example and demonstration I am committed to Changing the Face of Aging: One Modern Elder* at a time!
I welcome both local and national speaking engagements as well as one-on-one coaching opportunities to delve more deeply into navigating life transitions. Email me Here.
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