Just google “books on aging” and you’ll pull down a huge number of books. The topic of aging is a HOT topic…seems no one wants to get old! I think how older people oftentimes are portrayed in media puts a negative spin on aging. They’re certainly not portrayed as being vibrant, active, fun-loving, adventure-seeking adults who happen to have a few wrinkles or silver strands.
Years ago, I made the decision to age gracefully and accept whatever the good Lord threw at me. My one concession is to color my hair, which I’ve been doing since I was in my 20s! My focus in aging is to eat healthy, keep moving, wear sunscreen, be a constant student of life, try new things and embrace each day with gratitude.
Credit: Jen Loong
Here are my Fab 5: Favorites for Aging Gracefully. I hope you enjoy them, as I do. And, if you encounter someone who’s not embraced aging gracefully, share one of these with them. Together, we can change the perception of aging, with humor, grace, dignity….and just a little hutzpah!
Fab 5: Favorites for Aging Gracefully
- How We Age – by Dr. Marc E. Agronin – how our brains and bodies change through aging, and the way we understand it is changing too
- On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity & Getting Old – by Parker J Palmer – “Old,” he writes, “is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows.” An exploration of life unfolding.
- The End of Old Age – by Dr. Marc E Agronin – showing us a way to make the journey of aging better (sorry for duplicating authors; I really love his books!)
- Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of our Elders by Mary Pipher – bridging the gap between us and our elders.
- Aging Gracefully: Portraits of People Over 100 by Karsten Thormaehlen – this is a beautiful, beautiful book celebrating the lives of people over 100.
I hope you enjoy these books. I’ve listed them in the order that I suggest reading. The capstone absolutely is the portraits, so heartwarming and hopeful. Let me know what you think….comment below!
