A recent NY Times article, titled "Boomers Hit New Self-Absorption Milestone: Age 65," paints boomers as being glum, having regrets, feeling that they failed to reach the promise of their youth. Sure, Boomers were raised with Spock in mind so their voices were given more credence than past generations. Certainly some Boomers were fortunate enough to ride the wave of education and more material affluence than their parents. Many sought out self-development workshops or psychotherapy. Many experimented with drugs or even made it a habit to relax using marijuana.

Despite this history, I can't say that I know any Boomers who are glum in this newly designated "Third Age." On the contrary, they are vibrant, active, looking for and creating lives of meaning and purpose, populating one of many lifelong learning institutes, taking their grandchildren on travel adventures, starting non-profits to benefit people whom they have met on their extensive travels, and on and on.

I am a member of an organization called the Life Planning Network that has engaged in planning for the International Conference on Positive Aging. The conferences are some of the most compelling that I've ever attended - full of eager, responsive, intelligent people who are writing books, starting organizations to benefit all different segments of the aging populations, and just want to be stimulated by like-minded people. Not glum, nor self-absorbed.

Doug Dickson, president of LPN in New England, wrote a response to the NYTimes article. He wrote: "We should be opening doors that enable boomers to apply their education, experience and energy to the solution of longstanding societal challenges.In this way, boomers benefit as caring individuals, and we all benefit from their contributions. And age becomes valued as a community asset, not a liability.

 

I wonder where Dan Barry, the author of the NY Times article cited above, hangs out. Not where I do, that's for sure. We ought to extend him an invitation to the next Positive Aging conference.

What's your experience with reaching 65? Comment below, please.

Comments

[financial advisor]

Great Blog! I always thought that my retirement would be like a fairytale. It was hard at first to get my mind around what I would do in my retirement years and how i would be able to afford it. I spoke to my financial advisor and together we put together a plan to help me.

[rc helicopter]

Impressive blog! -Arron