I am a former leader, student, and teacher of power, leadership, and relationships. Now, I am a student and participant in the aging process. The former had nearly 80 years of experience and 35 years of study. My study of aging over the last few is a result of simply my being there. I know and strongly believe in what I studied and worked at, and I loved every minute of it except the travel, which was ultimately why I stopped working. Aging is a different story.
I am 96 years old and somewhat surprised at still being around. I am also pleasantly surprised at the clarity of my mind and memory and that I feel fine. I have no aches or pains, sleep well, eat well (but less), and work out a half hour each day. I honestly believe the reason for much of my well-being is Lenette. I refuse to leave her. After 69 years of being together, we are one, and there is no Sy without Lenette. Ain’t love grand?
I am a well-trained student of people, particularly relationships between those in power and those dependent on them. And here I mean, child to parent, student to teacher, worker to a boss, etc. As I see it, the sadness is that the problems between power and those dependent on the person wielding it are getting worse, not better.
One example is the modern way of communicating with each other. Is texting really the best way to accomplish this compared to being face-to-face, present, listening, understanding, and confirming? Note that agreeing has nothing to do with what I suggest. Are we losing much by not engaging in the art of dialogue? Sadly, I, for one, think so.
Aging will happen—living means this to you, me—we do not give in
Sy