SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITES OF LIVING AND AGING

INTRODUCTION

This book contains a compilation of articles that I wrote as the Executive Director and editor for the monthly newsletter, Healthwise of the Stein Institute for Research on Aging (SIRA) at the University of California , San Diego from October 1998 through August 2005 when I retired.

A major function of the newsletter was to provide information and resources to enable the institute's members to make appropriate life style choices to maximize their health and well-being. While our genetic make-up plays a major role in one's biological strength and susceptibility to disease, one's over all health and well-being for the most part is in our own hands. One's lifestyle, behavior and thinking play a dominant role. This includes our eating habits, whether we smoke, drink alcohol to excess, exercise or not, maintain a positive attitude, develop one's spirituality, opt for continued learning and growth as a person and so on.

These short vignettes were written to make people more conscious and aware of their aging/living process, inspiring and empowering them to take responsibility not only for their physical health, but for the full spectrum of their being. The essays provide "Something to Think About" in a down-to-earth, humanistic, optimistic, and often self-disclosive manner about the challenges and opportunities inherent in this later stage journey.

Yes, life is a journey, and for most, a journey full of wonder, of discovery, of invaluable experiences.all, that make us who we are. For it is in facing life's challenges that we create our very being and life itself. Each challenge, and aging certainly has its challenges, provides an opportunity; an opportunity to learn; to experience what it is to be human and this awesome, wondrous life; to discover the truth of one's being; to actualize ones potential to the fullest; and to create and recreate oneself anew. These writings can be of great help in this most fascinating life-journey.

Each essay is self-contained and stands alone, so one can pick and chose to read what appears interesting, skipping around as one wishes. Enjoy. Your comments are welcome. JAMilgram@educationforbeing.com