Meditation App
I somehow think I should have started these posts with this myth, but sometimes I am a little late to the party—that way you don’t have to stay there as long! 😉
Dr. James Thornton, now professor emeritus at the University of British Colombia, researched the universal practice of creating stories, which over time become “myths” or legends– as in the Loch Ness Monster, King Arthur, Robin Hood, or Paul Bunyan. Traditional myths and folklore defined personal experience. They shaped social life, and offered hope, and meaning to the unexplainable in times when there was little scientific advancement.
However in today’s world, with science influencing every aspect of our lives, current myths about aging strongly influence our present culture. But, like all myths, these anti-aging mythologies are based on half-truths and false knowledge. Unfortunately, they are usually stated as culturally accepted stereotypes, in our case, ageist stereotypes. Current misconceptions of aging often reinforced in the media and the literature on aging are not merely folklore. They have intentionally misrepresented statements pretending to inform, often in order to sell products and services. But in reality, these proclamations only reinforce misunderstandings and give wrong information about aging as experienced by the vast majority of older people.
The good news? As I love to say, there is a sea-changing coming! So many good people and so many different sources from the media (Think “Grace and Frankie,” Sophia Loren’s new movie, and those silver-haired beauties in print and TV ads) are changing the way us older adults are portrayed. All of these create a more realistic picture of what it looks like to have some experience under our belts.
Until next time…Be Vibrant!