When I was working with Liverpool Manager Jürgen Klopp last year, he articulated his Inspirational Dream as being “To make the second half of my life as fulfilling and exciting as the first”.
A great Dream – and very prescient.
Robin told me about a new book by Kerry Burnight – a UCAL Professor – called “Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half”.
Her core premise is that a lengthy life span does not equal a life well lived. You have to like your life too.
This is what I’ve believed for many years now. Expressed in my personal maxims;
- Make Happy Choices
- Live Life, Love Life
- Live Life to the Max
- Live Life Slow
- Survive, Revive, Thrive
- Take responsibility for your own Happiness
Kerry maintains that aging need not be “the downhill slide that people believe it is” (Uncle Bob Seelert to note!).
You can thrive, even when faced with health problems and challenges.
How we step up to those challenges defines us.
She talks about four non-negotiables to help:
- Grow. Stay curious. Keep learning.
- Adapt. Life changes are a normal part of the human experience. And a lot of things have gotten better as you’ve grown older. Eg, do you care much less about what others think of you? Are you wiser and can solve problems quicker?
- Give. Change your mindset from seeking to be understood, to seeking to understand. You have time, attention, patience and wisdom – share it!
- Connect. Social connections are vital. Remember Covid. As John Prine said “Hello in there”.
Kerry has reframed Lifespan to Joyspan.
Let Happiness Ring.
