Spring is a time of renewal. Rejuvenation, rebirth and opportunities are the stuff of spring season.  It is a time to sweep out the cobwebs, not just from our homes, but from our hearts and minds. 

I think it is no coincidence that all of the major religions also have celebrations at this time of year to recognize the cyclical nature of life.  Whether you are a religious observer, a nature lover, or just intrigued by life itself, this is often a good time of year to think about and plan for a future of renewal.  It is a time to think about positive attitudes toward aging and how to make the most of our years in this existence. 

Those of us in the field of aging know that despite the stereotypes, aging is not just a downhill run.  It is true that later life can be filled with challenges, but we also see the rich tapestry that begins to emerge from the accumulation of wisdom and experience.  By engaging with elders it is possible to learn about the internal strength that allows individuals to flourish in the face of life’s challenges. 

I have a new sign on my bulletin board that reads, “It takes guts to grow old.”  This was made for me by an elder at a senior center at which I recently gave a talk.  The women, who were hosting the craft sale where I found my sign, were quite adamant that they were all courageous in their efforts to make the most of life.  They found meaning in the participation with a community of elders and they were so devoted to the center that they were helping to raise funds for its support.  A sense of community/congregation can be found in a senior center, among a group of friends, in a support group, as well as in religious traditions and institutions.  This feeling of belonging and contributing facilitates a positive attitude for each individual, as well as for the community, as a whole.

Those older individuals who make a choice to maximize their later years are our role models for aging with a positive attitude.  Younger generations can develop positive attitudes about aging, by creating our own images for successful aging and building on the role models all around us.  We can look beyond the superficial appearance of aging and create a rich vision for later life that holds out more potential than at any other time in history. 

So, sweep out those cobwebs and those outdated visions of aging.  Let’s create a new image of later life that allows us to face our challenges with a sense of anticipation and renewal!