Okay,
so my card says “eldercare solutionist,” but “anarchist” –maybe
“revolutionary” – seems nearer the mark, set as I am on overthrowing our country’s
dismal culture around growing older.
Our
nation can’t go on the way it is – it’s too economically, emotionally &
spiritually draining. America’s old responses to aging don’t work
anymore, maybe never did.
Today,
the free-wheeling thinking, the innovative approaches brought by so many
creative souls to the task is moving us toward a wondrous tipping point.
Now, the question isn’t if our dismal culture around aging will
ever change or even when, but how.
What do I bring to the revolution? An unorthodox approach that starts with my brand of get ‘em out of home care - rambles around the countryside, dropping into a cozy
dive for a drink, an ice cream parlor for a sundae; regular trips to a
local farm, glorying in the changing seasons (the heifers are coming into their
own right now); drives into Philadelphia for jazz; catching a minor
league baseball game in Trenton; a linger at a nearby dog park. Live!
Live! Live!
I do more than work with older friends; I proactively work on their behalf. Every moment possible, I immerse myself in whatever touches on
expansive living - attending workshops, taking online courses/seminars, attending March's Leading to Well-Being Conference and May's National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) Conference & Leadership Exchange.
We ditched our television over three years ago – instead, I read
authors like Wendy Lustbader, Joan Chittester, Reb Zalman, Atul Gawande… Too many to list! I surf the internet & write postings
on my older2elder blog, dedicated to engaged energized empowered living. In every way possible, I steep myself in how
to live well, whatever our age.
THIS is my time to make a difference. Energies are cresting – it’s time to catch & ride the wave. My heart cries to go beyond being someone with the gift of helping a few others live as expansively as possible. I long to be a catalyst for more, much more.
Over the next four weeks, I hope to raise $20,000. Okay, you can pick
your jaw up off the floor. It is an
immense amount, but actually just the low end of what I could use.
Monies raised would go toward:
- A reliable used car to back up our stout-hearted & true 1999 Concorde, also letting my husband expand his list of “grand” clients
- Gail Larsen’s online Transformational Speaking training. http://www.transformationalspeakingonline.com/
- Autumn Omega workshops by Mark Nepo/The Endless Practice, Pema Chodron/Making Friends with Your Mind, Caroline Myss/Navigating Changes in Your Life, and an Omega Women’s Leadership Intensive - Become the Kind of Leader the World Needs Now
- Autumn Rowe Conference Center workshop by Christina Pratt/Shamanic Wisdom for Living – and Dying – Well (sigh… too late for Bedside Singing for the Dying)
- 6th International Conference on Aging & Spirituality, in Los Angeles
- Copyright various business names
- Books that beckon
- Upgrade computer skills & equipment
- Get much needed professional coaching & personal counseling.
- Any additional monies would go toward the complete physical my doctor keeps harping on, the MRI & blood work I can’t currently afford.
- For more details, check “Looking Ahead…” postings at thegrannielistener.blogspot.com.
It’s
true, I am not a specialist. People question my lack of credentials. To answer, I brazenly steal lines from
the film, The King’s Speech. Lionel Logue, the king’s
self-taught speech therapist, grilled on his lack of official credentials,
replies, “It’s true. I have no
credentials, there are no letters after my name. All I have are my
successes.” Ditto.
So,
what am I? An inspired generalist, stirring the pot; the friend with a
knack for helping others move obstacles out of their path. My special
gift seems to be in helping those who are at what Joan Chittister calls “that
crossroad without a name,” leading older friends to realize it might not have a
name, but it does have a purpose.
A
revolution is brewing in how America’s culture treats our elderly. It is happening, will happen, whether or not you
respond to my request. How well I do will determine if I am in the vanguard or following
up in the rear.
The
other day, a young friend of mine, blessed with close ties to her grandparents & older relatives, said, "Aunt Deev, you put a
human face on aging."
I can't recall a nicer compliment, or a
better description of my passion & purpose - to do everything I can
with everyone I can in every way we can to humanize our nation's abysmal
culture around aging.
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Joan
Chittister says that passion is what calls to us to be done, purpose
is how we do it. Call me an eldercare anarchist or revolutionary or
solutionist -
helping
overturn then set right our country’s culture around aging is my grand
passion. You can help determine how well I serve its purpose.
Cannot
close without sharing my IMMENSE gratitude to the friends who’ve helped me get
to where I am – without your loving support, I’d be all hopes & little
action. To all my Guardian & Earth Angels – thanks, thanks & more
thanks.
I
appreciate your consideration of my request. Whether you can contribute
toward my goal or quietly send me your best wishes for continued success,
thanks thanks & more thanks for your support.
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One last thing – contributing toward my work isn’t just an investment in my future. It’s an investment in yours, too.
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