The Gift Of Years: Growing Older Gracefully (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I thought the author made many, many enlightened observations about aging. For myself, the chapter on the role of memories in our lives was particularly helpful. I did feel it was somewhat repetitious and at some points, felt like being beaten over the head with the central premise that old age is what you make it. That simple statement is pretty much the theme of the book. She does give very persuasive reasons for why old age can be a satisfying and productive stage of life. Not very much in the way of religion here for those wondering if this feels like it was written by a nun. Truth is, it doesn't. Chittister offers meditations on various themes affecting everyone's life but with a view towards how we can approach them in as people moving into and through late life. On the ladder of concrete examples and abstract ideas, the writing is quite abstract. There are very few anecdotes, examples, statistics or other specifics. This made it a little difficult to apply the concepts without slowing down to generate my own examples. Nevertheless, the concepts discussed are thought provoking. The basic premise is that late life is a time of continued development. The book helps readers see life challenges as invitations for growth and cautions against the temptations to detach, despair and subsequently devolve. The themes addressed are as follows: Regret, Meaning, Fear, Ageism, Joy, Authority, Transformation, Newness, Accomplishment, Possibility, Adjustment, Fulfillment, Mystery, Relationships, Tale-Telling, Letting Go, Learning, Religion, Freedom, Success, Time, Wisdom, Sadness, Dreams, Limitations, Solitude, Productivity, Memories, Future, Agelessness, Immediacy, Nostalgia, Spirituality, Loneliness, Forgiveness, Outreach, The Present, Appreciation, Faith, Legacy, Afterwards: The Twilight Time. I suggest reading just one section slowly over a week so as to have time to explore the implication of the statements. For example, in the chapter "Mystery," Chittister writes: "Mystery is what happens to us when we allow life to evolve rather than having to make it happen all the time. It is the strange knock at the door, the sudden sight of an unceremoniously blooming flower, an afternoon in the yard, a day of riding the midtown bus. Just to see. Just to notice. Just to be there." It takes a while to grasp the concept of "allow life to evolve," especially if the reader is still very much rooted in external achievement as a measure of happiness. (I'm 52, but I have a 13 year old as well as a non-driving 16 year old, so it's hard to "just be" when I am still playing taxi mom as an older parent.) It's a good book to read as a daily meditation guide, but I wouldn't read it on a plane. It would be overwhelming to attempt to read in one sitting.
What do You think about The Gift Of Years: Growing Older Gracefully (2008)?
Not a read through but a very good "pick uo" book.Very informative / helpful points of view
—xodaonenonlyxo
This woman is a new author for me. I like her writing style.
—septics
There was a lot of wisdom in this book.
—mrsgriff32
