Ramona Oliver - Inclined Elders: How to rebrand aging for self and society

INCLINED ELDERS: How to rebrand aging for self and society

Copyright 2020 by Ramona V.M. Oliver, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Website: www.ramonavmoliver.com

ISBN: xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Paperback Edition)

ISBN: xxxxxxxxxxxxx (E-book Edition)

This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, except as permitted under Section 107 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, or for brief quotations in reviews or articles, without written permission from the author. Such prior permission can be obtained by emailing ramona@ramonavmoliver.com.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the author has used her best efforts in preparing this book, she makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. The author shall not be liable for damages arising herefrom.

Cover and interior design: Adina Cucinov, Flamingo Design.

Cover image: Mykhaylo Pelin, 123rf.com

Editing: www.InkDeepEditing.com

Acknowledgments

My journey of writing this book has been personally fulfilling. Not only for my own growth, but in large part due to the wonderful new relationships I have developed with over fifty Inclined Elders throughout the United States. They are mentioned individually in the Contributors section at the back of this book and I will treasure them always. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for so generously sharing your stories; this book could not have been written without you.

I especially want to acknowledge my book consultant and guide, Dr. Liz Alexander, for leading me on this journey. Working with her has been a joyful experience. Liz pushed me ever so artfully and effectively to a higher level for a far better outcome. She always kept me on course. At the outset she indicated we were starting a journey with a supposed destination of Mars but would likely end up on Plutoand that my flexibility in going where the story needed to take us would make this a stronger book.

Im also very grateful to graphic artist Adina Cucicov who, through her visual interpretation, brought the concept of Inclined Elders to life with a stunning cover illustration. My editor, Erica Ellis, was truly amazing at polishing my prose until it shone.

There are so many friends and colleagues who were very supportive with their encouragement and enthusiasm for the book. I thank you and treasure you all.

And finally, I acknowledge the loving support of my family members, all Inclined Elders, who never doubted that I could accomplish this new undertaking, especially Raymond, Suzanne, Chris and Ashley, Steve and Bobbi-Jo, and Ben and Matty.

Introduction:
Why Embrace an Attitude of Incline?

I could never be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never turn his back on life.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Herb: The Eternal Incliner

Six years ago, when he was ninety-four, Herb and his wife decided to move from their home in Houston, Texas, to an independent living community in Austin so they could be closer to their children. Their first night in the dining room, Herb looked around and exclaimed to his wife, Oh my God! Theres nothing but old people here! While Herb later told me hed made that comment in jest, he admitted secretly that he missed the company of friends who are closer to his childrens generation.

During our conversation, Herb declared that he has lived a life of continuous Incline and he is still Inclining. Fittingly, his philosophy is in sync with this rhyme I wrote:

I look in the mirror and who do I see,

Its my younger self smiling back at me.

While society dictates a time of decline,

I follow my soul and choose to Incline.

Herb is an exemplar of an Inclined Elder. He is one of the exceptional ones. According to Statista, the average life expectancy in North America for those born in 2019 is seventy-six for males and eighty-one for females. However, many of us are living healthily, physically and mentally, well into our nineties.

For the first time in history we are not only living longer, we also have an important choice to make: commit to a meaningful, purposeful life of Incline as we get older, or believe that a new stageone of steady declineis inevitable. This book is a call to action for you to opt for Incline. Not only for your personal fulfillment, but also to help fuel a social legacy that increases the number of positive older role models in everyday life. I have written this book to inspire, inform, and challenge you. By the time you reach the last page, I hope you will have made a new choice: to become an inspiring example of a life of Incline so our society relinquishesonce and for allthe notion that aging is synonymous with decline, decrepit, senile, and over-the-hill.

I want you to choose an attitude of Incline so that, irrespective of how old you are, you continue to climb hills.

WHO ARE INCLINED ELDERS?

We are the women and men who have made a conscious choice to ignore societys negative mindset of decline and over-the-hill as we age. Instead we embrace a positive mindset of continuing to Incline and climb ever upwards.

While birthdays may be the accelerator for aging, dont let them become the brakes that stop you from continuing to live a full and happy life, as Herb still does at age 100.

Why have Herb, his wife, and I chosen an attitude of Incline? Because we intend to live a life of achievement, meaning, and purpose and not allow mere birthdays to get in the way. And an attitude of Incline will permit usand youto do this.

The metaphor of a hill is an apt one to consider as you grapple with the concept of Inclining because hills are surely easier and more enjoyable to climb than steep, lofty mountains. And they still allow for inspiring discoveries and adventures. Some of their pathways may have twists and turns, and there may be the odd bump in the road, but it is important to continue the ascent. Why? Because the vistas on the trek upward are increasingly breathtaking and exhilarating.

Inclined Elders know that there is no need to rush; its not a race. We take one step at a time so we can pause to smile at the waving wildflowers along the road.

Your attitude determines the potential for your altitude, so a shift in mindset is required, regardless of your age right now. As you awaken to each new day as an Inclined Elder, the sunrise will greet you with a symphony of color applauding your choice to Incline and climb the hill. You will continue to broaden your experience and deepen your joy of life. This is what has happened for me and the people who shared their stories.

Among the fifty plus people ranging in age from 40 to 100 that I spoke to for this book, those with a positive self-perception of aging maintain a more youthful image of themselves. Similarly, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that researchers at University College London posed the question How old do you feel you are? to over 6,500 men and women aged fifty-two and above. Seventy percent felt younger than their actual age. Interestingly, eight years later researchers found that 88% of those who said they felt younger than their actual age were the ones who were still alive. Bottom line? Feeling younger may just help you live longer.