Our Wisdom Years Charles Garfield PhD

Our Wisdom Years

Charles Garfield PhD

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Central Recovery Press (April 21, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1949481182

ISBN-13: 978-1949481181

Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches

Psychologist and best-selling author Charles Garfield Share an uplifting vision as he takes us on a journey of a lifetime.

Description

Some of the most profound growth of our lives can happen in the home stretch, the years after age sixty or so. It’s a time when we can finally crystallize the meaning of what we’ve been and done so far and fully expand into the self we’ve always intended to be, guided by the voice of the soul. But, says psychologist Charles Garfield, that can only happen if we first loosen the grip of the life we’ve led so far, the one that’s been focused outwardly―on activity, achievement, and the idea of success―and let our souls lead the way.

In Our Wisdom Years, he skillfully and practically guides readers through nine tasks that can transform the struggles of aging, bringing fulfillment, joy, and serenity. Drawing on the understandings that come from both his work as acclaimed “success guru” in the 1980s and the truths distilled from long-term work with those at the end of life, Garfield offers a fresh, uplifting vision of the wholeness that awaits us in our wisdom years.

Our Wisdom Years is unique among books in the “conscious aging” genre in its understanding of how challenging it can be to make the shift from the ubiquitous values of drive and achievement that infuse our contemporary “success culture” to the inner orientation that gives richness to later life. Because of that, Garfield is well positioned to offer considerable expertise on retirement, its inner challenges for people leaving the work force, and the promise of transformation that can come with a turn from a focus on achievement to a focus on satisfaction.

Filled with the author’s insights and life experiences, the reader is taken through the nine tasks of transformation. Dr. Garfield shares how we can gracefully let go of the younger selves we’ve been and walk through the opening that keeps beckoning toward this soul-driven version of later life. He encourages us to take the risk of being fully alive as our years pass. This is no small task―aging is not for the faint of heart! The beautiful paradox of growing older is that none of the gifts of age are available without the kind of loss that forces us to confront mortality in a way we can’t deny. In the face of loss, we’re changed and expanded by truths that come from the heart, not the mind. We learn that we’re more than our bodies, part of something much larger than we are; that love and kindness matter most of all.

My Review

Well, hello there! I was hoping for some sunshine and instead we got hit with snow. We are currently under a snow emergency and schools are already canceling for tomorrow. So, I'm sitting down with a cup of coffee to finish the ARC for Our Wisdom Years by Charles Garfield, PhD. This book is geared for those 'Growing Older with Joy, Fulfillment, Resilience and No Regrets'.

This inspirational book starts off with us growing beyond who we've been. 

I flagged the page that talks about the importance of joy being born of nurturing our connection to what has meaning for us. 

I expect many equate joy with love and physical interaction with others. I'm big on snuggling and cuddling so I concentrated a bit on the section that speaks to Bring Our Closest Ones Closer because I like that it takes a look at long term relationships and helps us recognize that it is easy to fall into the rut of comfortable routines.

I'm definitely guilty of this! Sometimes, I come home from work and head to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. My husband and I share brief conservations about our work schedules and then I head off to another room to read. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still very much in love with my husband. I think sometimes it is so effortless that I fail to recognize all that needs to be said.

Four Ways to Broaden and Deepen The Love In Your Life, helps me think about what it is that I value and cherish about our relationship and how to go about verbalizing it more.

My favorite section in this book deals with helping us realize how many times we meet strangers who give us encouragement or offer kindness and generosity. This gives us the freedom to express our gratitude in writing gratitude letters or visiting those we know to express our gratitude.

The book ends by making us aware of what we gain in our senior years and offers a quote from Mary Sarton who was a gifted writer of thought-provoking poetry, novels, and journals. Though this book is geared towards seniors, it is useful for anyone wanting to strengthen relationships.

About the Author

Charles Garfield, PhD, is the founder of Shanti, an internationally honored volunteer organization dedicated to the care of the dying, the elderly, and those living with cancer and AIDS,  For his work with Shanti and for originating the Shanti model of peer support, Garfield was named National Activist of the Year―one of America’s highest awards to individuals making voluntary contributions in public service.