My friends are of every age, but when I’m surrounded by those who, like me, are babyboomers, conversations often switch to the deterioration of our bodies rather than to the vitality of our minds and hearts.
I realized that we’ve bought into the hype about approaching old age and the not-so-subtle discrimination of ageism. Advertisements geared to us tout spokeschildren as models to advertise the wonders of wrinkle removing cream. Drug companies spend 30 seconds on commercials about the wonders of new medications that are perfect for us, and then fast forward through a host of disclaimers for the parts of our bodies they’ll eventually destroy. Hello! Having not been born yesterday is indeed a good thing.
I decided that we need a new word to describe exactly who we are: Wisdomism. Wisdomism is about the beauty of our hard-earned acumen and compassion. It doesn’t shy away from letting others know that our body hair has turned gray in areas where it isn’t advisable to use hair color, that our libidos haven’t died, or that sex over 60 is yummy, not yucky. Neither is it all about impending retirement, grown children or grandchildren who can give us hives, the fear that we won’t be able to pay for or find affordable healthcare, or that the social security we paid for is in jeopardy.
Wisdomism is about staying clear to our connection to our real selves, to the glorious part of us that has survived most of life’s losses and lessons while retaining the capacity to love and to laugh. It’s a time of attainment with no need to embrace the arrogant belief that unless you’re under forty you are invisible with nothing more to learn, to give, to share, or to teach. We do and we will!
Copyright©2008 by Jeanne M. Eck. All rights reserved. For permission to duplicate this article, kindly contact the author via her website at: www.Iamhappiertoknowyou.com. While you’re there, be sure to check out information about her award-winning book I Am Happier to Know You.
