Each Life Decade Well Lived
We arrive at the various stages of life quite as novices. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld Each decade offers obstacles and opportunities. Executive mentor Bobb Biehl, author of Decade by Decade, believes life has these predictable stages, Childhood Seek security Adolescence Self awareness Twenties Develop survival skills Thirties Career success Forties Struggles and finding significance Fifties Find one’s stride Sixties Strong strategic thinking Seventies Nurture next leaders Eighties Savor accomplishments Nineties plus Reflect and rest TheWheelofCreativity.com reports that, from birth to ten, “If we do not build trust, autonomy, initiative and industry in these early years, we end up developing mistrust, shame and doubt, guilt and inferiority instead. In short, we need to feel our world is safe, we can rely on ourselves, we are inherently good and we can do good in our world.” Wheel of Creativity adds, “as we develop social relationships outside our families, we begin to form our own identity and gain confidence in ourselves in the world. If we don’t develop this sense of self – either through too little guidance or too much control – we get confused and can spend a lifetime looking outside for someone else to tell us who we are and what we think and feel.” Of the next three decades, Carrie McEachran, executive director, Mooretown, Ontario, Canada says, “My 20s taught me the true meaning of unconditional love with the birth of my two babies. Setting goals and working hard took on a whole new meaning when I became a mom. “My 30s taught me that it’s okay to put myself first sometimes. It taught me the importance of self-care for not only my own well-being, but for my children. “My 40s are teaching me to let go of everything that has been weighing me down (negative friendships, habits, etc.). The 40s have also taught me to stop worrying about what others think.” For the grand finale, “The Ultimate Checklist for Every Decade of Your Life” recommends, After 40, find a solid mentor and take time to reflect on how you want the last two decades of your working life to pan out. … build meaningful and deep relationships with peers, friends and family. Remember, this stage is all about maximizing your own potential. From 50 to 60, stay relevant. Learn from those younger than you – and provide them with mentorship and guidance … carefully choose what you have the best shot at and commit to it. Beyond 60, maintain your legacy. … enjoy the finer things in life. Travel the world, potter around in your garden and give back to your community. Spend time with friends you never really had enough time for in the past. Tick those remaining ‘to-do’ things off your bucket list. Along the way, remember, There are three stages of life: youth, maturity, and ‘My, you’re looking good!’ ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower Aging is not “lost youth” but a new stage of opportunity and strength. ~ Betty Friedan You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing. ~ Arthur Ashe NOTE: If a life stage disappointed, one resource can be NIH National Library of Medicine’s “The Recovery Process“ Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Radiant Tree Books Life Well Lived offers floral photographs, wise words and invitations to see life as a garden of possibilities. This book also offers instructions for creating Illustrated Wisdoms and allows lots of space for personal notes, sketches and meditations. Here are opportunities to both enjoy life’s seasons and find enrichment. Details: 8 x 10 inches Sketch Journal [with guides and prompts] 60 Pages $20 Preview Purchase View All Books Thanks for shopping!
Word Rich, Cosmic Calendar
We arrive at the various stages of life quite as novices. Francois de La Rochefoucauld Astronomer Carl Sagan’s Cosmic Calendar presents the universe’s existence in a single year. Here is how human life and the cosmos unfolds. Human 1st Stage: Before birth. Inside the womb, life depends on mother’s condition. Universe, New Years Eve: In 1931, Belgian physicist Georges Lemaître proposed his proposed his “hypothèse de l’atome primitive.” Later called the “Big Bang,” this theory suggested all space and time burst from a single atom. In the 1970’s, scientists started suggesting other possibilities, such as that the current universe developed from an earlier one. The Hindu, the belief is that all existence begins and ends while Brahma dreams. Human 2nd Stage: Infancy. Through first year, child can suck, cry, swallow and needs much care. Universe, August 28: Our solar system starts [4.57 billion years ago] Human 3rd Stage: During toddler years, intelligence, emotions and social skills develop. Universe, September 14: Single-cell life on Earth begins [4.1 billion years ago] Human 4th Stage: Children walk, talk and eat independently. The world intrigues. They want to learn. Universe, September 30: Earth produces oxygen via photosynthesis [3.8 billion years ago] Human 5th Stage: Adolescence. Puberty and sexual development accompanied by rapid physical growth. Often, increased impulsiveness and risk taking. Seeks to establish individual personality and independence from parents. Universe: December 5: Growing beyond bacteria, multi-cellular life develops on Earth [800 million years ago] Human 6th Stage: Adulthood. Physiological peak achieved. Universe, December 25: Dinosaurs appear on Earth [230 million years ago] Human 7th Stage: Middle Age. Beginning in late thirties, expertise increases. Problem solving improves. Signs of aging. Universe, December 30: Earth’s fifth mass extinctions destroys almost all life. Death of dinosaurs allows small mammals to develop. Human 8th Stage: Late Adulthood. More health issues must be managed. Universe, December 31, 12 a.m.: Forty million years ago, primates that would become Earth’s humans still living in trees. Human 9th Stage: Life Ends. This commencement period can include choices about palliative and hospice care as well as bequeaths. Loved ones can be involved. Universe, December, 31, 11:59:58 pm, Christopher Columbus finds Earth’s northern hemisphere. [NOTE: Asian people reached these continents fourteen thousand years earlier.] Now that life can be understood in both personal and cosmic ways, keep in mind, At every stage of life, our inner self requires the nurturance of loving people attuned to our feelings and responsive to our needs who can foster our inner resources of personal power, lovability, and serenity. Those who love us understand us and are available to us with an attention, appreciation, acceptance, and affection we can feel, they make room for us to be who we are. ~ David Richo During these two minutes, Neil deGrasse Tyson condenses the universe’s 13.8 billion years into twelve months. Click Here to View See Also: A Journey to the End of Time 29 Minutes Research Resources: Before the Big Bang Brahma Dreams the Universe Cosmic Calendar Cosmic Calendar Lesson Plan Earth’s Five Mass Extinctions History of Big Bang Theory Human Life Cycle Periods of Human Development Human Life Stage Lessons Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Journals Record dreams, hopes, plans and achievements in these beautiful, inspiring notebooks. Details: 6” x 8, spiral notebook 120 pages, ruled on both sides Art printed on front Cover is thick paper stock. Back cover is medium gray Inside front and back covers have pockets for storing extra paper and pens View All Notebooks Thanks for shopping!