Sometimes inspiration strikes in the most unexpected places. The January issue of Costco magazine profiles JD Roth and Todd Nelson of The Biggest Loser fame. I expected to hate the show because the name seemed offensive - but I love it. It helps people change their attitudes and expectations about themselves so they can change their lives. And obesity and advanced age have something in common. They both impact how a person sees himself, and how others view and label him. People make rapid and usually negative judgments about someone they label obese, same with someone they label as "elderly"; and these judgments drive personal interactions, choices, and outcomes.
The article talked about the power of the mind to transform lives and the need to awaken a person's "inner beast" in order for real change to take hold. Exactly the same things we've been talking about for awhile - activating the positive emotional tools of resilience - optimism, self-confidence, perspective, determination. I just mailed a letter off to 3 Ball Productions to ask them to consider a show to reframe aging.
Those of you who've been in meetings with me have heard me say this before - a show like The Biggest Geezer could do more to change the trajectory of peoples lives (and our national healthcare crisis) than any number of national initiatives aimed at preventing disease or improving health. The name seems offensive but the message would be clear - age is not responsible for the stereotype of a "geezer". Circumstances and lifestyle are driven by a mindset, and by choices; and a mindset and choices are driven by perceptions. Regardless of challenges, a person has to be able to envision themselves in a positive light in order to embrace well-being and vitality. And it really helps to be immersed in a culture that supports a positive view.
Whether we like it or not we really go through this stage unless we die young. Becoming an elderly is not really that bad.. It is only a matter of acceptance and letting your inner self go out and deal with life as it is. Being an elderly is not the end of the world. There is still a lot that you can do.
Posted by: Brad Fallon | January 19, 2011 at 07:36 PM
We will become elders unless we die young but its the concept of elderly that is bothersome. Everyone ages differently, just like they have through their full lifespan. How we choose to live our life is more relevant than any age. Kay
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Posted by: lala | May 05, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Have you used the phrase, "I had a senior moment" lately?
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