Carol's Reflections

On the Brink of Everything

Ten years ago, at the age of 63 when I was fraught with the challenges of growing old in our ageist, dysfunctional society, I vowed to transform myself from victim to explorer. I viewed the far side of midlife as wild territory, full of dangerous unknowns, and saw that my

The Three Secrets of Aging: Blog/Discussion

Hello Fierce Ones, I’m pleased to announce the next selection of the Conscious Aging Book Club: John C. Robinson’s book The Three Secrets of Aging: A Radical Guide,. My blog inspired by the book “My First Real Vacation” follows. The discussion board opens today in the comment section below the

Personal Note: Angelica’s Last Breath

“Try to live with the part of your soul which understands eternity, which is not afraid of death. And that part of your soul is love.” –Leo Tolstoy Dear Friends of Older, Wiser, Fiercer, Over the past few years, many of you have given me valuable feedback on several of

Moses–Benched

When I speak before audiences, I often ask them to picture an old woman sitting alone on a park bench. Then I ask them to share the first image/thought/impulse that pops into their mind. The younger the audience, the more likely they are to feel sorry for the lonely woman

The Greatness Gap

My new friend Annette and I were getting to know one another after tai chi class last week, each of us delighted to have discovered a new conversation partner close to home. The dialogue took place over cappuccinos in a favorite neighborhood cafe. “I love tai chi,” Annette commented between

At the Gates

The soul “judges itself by choosing, in accord with the character formed during its life on earth, which sort of an afterlife it shall have.” –Aldous Huxley The old woman stood before the guarding angel, so many tears welling in her eyes that she could not read the letters

Caring–Intensively: 10/26/17

When we come into age, we aspire to be accepting of change, but it’s complicated. I write this from first-hand experience, several months after an incident that landed me in the ER. I’m fine now—but acutely distrustful of anything at my age that reeks of excessive vitality. It is as

Homecoming 10/16/17

What happens to us after we die? I’m fairly certain that personal ego is not in the picture–that one will be rewarded for one’s special goodness; that one is uniquely qualified to co-pilot with God and the like. Lately, I’ve been having intimations of a more humble but dependable possibility. These

Being the Change

Recently, I had a great conversation with my friend and colleague Gaea Yudron, just back from an extended trip to Mexico. She was trying on the ex-pat lifestyle, drawn to Mexico in part because of its more respectful attitude towards aging. For many reasons, which you can best discover by