Thanks for the shout out about my film! If anyone is interested I can be reached at clairepanke@gmail.com and you can see a trailer on the website, posted above and again here https://lightyearsfilm.com

Hi Jan, We met through the Boston Transition Network

That book is why I am here!

Same here.

For those interested in Ukraine related to climate crisis, send me (Rick Moody) a request and I'll share information on this topic: hrmoody@yahoo.com

Welcome to the Positive Aging Zoom sponsored by Fielding Graduate University’s Creative Longevity and Program Initiative. Please post any questions here and we will address those that we can after the conversation.

If you can, change your name on the screen, add on your location: for example, “Connie Corley (Los Angeles area)”

Ellen Langer

Becca Levy (Yale)

Will this webinar be available to rewatch?

Yes Alan it is being recorded. Reach out to Dr. Moody for the link: hrmoody@yahoo.com

Would you speak to the challenge of role-to-soul when a partner is involved who may need care due to health (dementia/illness)—in other word, how to maintain the “who I am now” while juggling another’s needs??

Thank you Becky for the question. I will be moderating the Q and A in about 15 minutes.

Many people have to keep working due to financial needs.

I agree - I think there are different stages for 'older adults.' i.e. it's not just about a post societal 'retirement' age.

Part of the trouble is that many people have their identity closely connected to their job. The definition of success in our society is still closely tied to financial success.

Feel free to type your questions in the chat. Comments too, thank you Zoe, Jacquie and Alan

Another good book on this topic is David Brook's book, The Second Mountain. He makes the case from going from ego driven work to soul driven work.

Are there inner work lessons from aging that can be transferred to earlier stages such as mid life? in other words, what can people in middle age do to fins who they are? what do I bring? what is my definition of success - but earlier in life?

There are also expectations that the elderly should get out of make way for the young. Wasn't it Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook who said that the young are just smarter. Being rich, beautiful and young are still considered the most important goals to have and we are constantly being given that message.

I am working now as hard if not harder than I was in my career. For a few reasons, I’ve become more creative, I like helping others, and I feel as though time is running out. I have to “hurry up” and finish my books I’m working on before I sail over the horizon. I question if I should instead, stop and re-calculate who I am. Yet, I think I’ve figured that out. I wonder if I’m missing something?

How do you define Soul? It sounds very spiritual and disembodied.

There is a freeing later on - we care less about perceptions, what people think.

Connie, can you recap your intro on Ukraine. I was late jumping on to the meeting.

Can you speak about 'belonging' for childless individuals?

The comedian Paula Poundstone made the observation/joke that adults ask kids what they want to be when they grow up because they are looking for ideas.

I wanted to follow up on Alan's point - How do you define Soul? It sounds very spiritual and disembodied. - Don't you think that there is a perception problem with soul, purpose, etc. I think that a lot of coaches put a different spin on it in trying to explain. Personally I think it is basic design thinking.

"The afternoon of life must have a meaning of its own. It cannot merely a pitiful appendage to life's morning." (Jung)

What practice or suggestions do you. Have when we find ourself coming from ego or seeing others there?

What do you say to people who are not able to afford to retire and do other more fulfilling things?

How does this apply to others other than middle class, white, people with families...…...this feels just like how we look on screen...…...all very similar and class.

See the film "Say Amen Somebody," for insight into the Black Church and its choral music tradition: all presented around two people, a man and a woman, both elders, both important leaders of the Black Church.

I don't understand that the nervous system is the same for all. There is so much research now that it is society that causes PTSD, not just the nervous system like we used to think

Thank you Dori, Connie and Rick!

How do you discover your unique gift to the world that is apart of “being” and not “doing”?

Could sometime put the book titles/authors mentioned today in the chat, please?

The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul

Some of this is the pressure and expectations that our society place on elderly people to think and behave a certain way.

Sarah Zeff Geber “SOLO AGING”

Unlike the stereotype, child free elders have thriving extended networks of friends and family.

If you want a Wisdom Circle, email me at conniezweig@gmail.com