Good Afternoon Purposeful Aging Readers

Sep 8

7 min read

I hope you were able to enjoy the fruits of your Labor over many years and were able to relax and enjoy a reprieve this holiday.

Labor Day has always marked the end of summer and the beginning of Fall, complete with everything that signifies returning to school—football, purchase of supplies, new books course catalogs, etc.

The purpose of this blog is to bring you some important and timely information. It is also to announce our next Wisdom Group Meeting scheduled for September 24th at 1 p.m. at the University of Denver, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging on the subject of “Ancestry Research-Those Who Came Before Us”. More information and registration link to follow towards the bottom of this blog.

Table of Contents

Becoming Wiser

Personally, I love this time of year and … I am preparing to start six new classes! I can’t let a season pass me without perusing a course catalog and selecting some interesting subjects for the upcoming quarter.

For instance, I have registered for “The History of the Vietnam War, Part I”, “The Invention of American Political Parties,” “What Near Death Experiences Revel about an Afterlife”, and “Israel’s Strategic Position in the Middle East”,

These courses are through the University of Denver’s OLLI program olli.du.edu/olli/welcome along with “Dream Interpretation” via the Kabbalah Experience Center kabbalahexperience.com and “The Revolutionary Origins of the First Amendment” via the University of Chicago’s extension Program Programs & Courses - UChicago | Graham School.

Additional classes Dr. Sanders mentioned as offerings this fall include: “Transforming the Human Narrative”, “Journey to Your Life’s Purpose” and “Masks, Who Are You?” These courses are offered simultaneously in-person and on-line.

Continuous Learning Enhances Wisdom

I realize this may sound like torture for some of you, but classes and intellectual pursuit stimulate my curious nature.

At every stage of life, learning keeps our minds active, our spirits curious, and our community connected. After age 60 (I am actually 76), education becomes more than information—it becomes purpose, confidence, and shared joy.

No matter the subject, continued education helps develop greater wisdom. Learning trains us to think more clearly, view life from broader angles, and respond to change with greater steadiness. Over time, knowledge becomes understanding—and understanding becomes tolerance along with the ability to make sense of experience, choose wisely, and live with purpose.

At this stage of life, becoming wiser (and yes, also smarter) is especially valuable. It supports independence, strengthens confidence, deepens relationships, and keeps the heart and mind open to what life still has to offer.

So, as you consider some of the resources presented here, I invite you to approach them with curiosity and eagerness—because the next class you take may help you see the world, yourself, and your community a little more wisely than before.

Sometimes the Group Makes All the Difference

If more education is not for you, but you are seeking activities which can be shared with others, I want to introduce you to a new partnership we are promoting for our Purposeful Aging Wisdom Group members. It is called Second Summit (2nd Summit), Launched by a friend and colleague, Dave Thomas. 2ndsummit.com

As a Denver native and a recent “retiree” Dave felt something was missing as he explored Denver and its available activities.

“People like me seemed to be missing from a lot of the things I did and places I visited. Research validated what I was seeing. There was a gap. People in the second half of life did not have a simple way to find interesting things to do, meet people, keep learning, and stay active while building community around the things they enjoy.”

Dave notes that 2nd Summit was created to fill that gap. “Our goal is pretty simple: Make the aging process more enjoyable and healthier by helping people stay active, engaged and part of a community.

We do that by finding, creating and curating experiences for people our age, and making it easier to participate.

Whether a person’s interests include theater, music, food, hiking, biking, education or a number of other activities, 2nd Summit exists to bring people together around those shared interests.

By distributing this information out to our Wisdom Group members, we are hoping that individuals (whether solo or in tandem with others) will take advantage of the curated experiences Dave offers. His goal is to help people connect through shared experiences instead of formal networking. 2nd Summit hosts walks, travel, hikes, social dinners, educational activities, pickleball, trivia nights and more.

Experiences are important, but the community that forms around them is most important. What is better than doing things you love to do with interesting people to do them with?

If being part of an active community sounds good to you, 2nd Summit may be worth exploring.

“We welcome new participants and I’d especially like to welcome Barb’s Purposeful-Aging Wisdom Group. I hope you’ll join us for something soon!”

See 2ndsummit.com

Dave will be an upcoming guest speaker at one of our future Wisdom Group meetings.

Purposeful Aging Wisdom Group

Our next Wisdom Group meeting is scheduled for September 24^that 1 p.m. at the University of Denver, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, room 510 on the subject of “Ancestry Research-Those Who Came Before Us”. Our guest will be Sylvia Tracy Doolos.

Sylvia has been working as a professional genealogist for 15 years and is actively involved as a genealogical volunteer with the Denver Public Library and other family history organizations. Her research focus is on the impact of language changes on records. Tracy says she has been interested in genealogy for nearly 45 years and her interest began while searching for family names for her first child.

Born into a family that seldom talked about their family history, she discovered she had relatives with very intriguing names via a great-great-aunt’s research. Discovering ancestry going back to the Mayflower was what finally “hooked her” on the profession.

Join us for an enlightening discussion during which Sylvia has indicated she will incorporate some of the dream interpretation content presented by Dr. David Sanders, Founder of the Kabbalah Experience, back in our August session.

To register, please use the link below instead of sending me a personal email. We have a new streamlined process. Additionally, our sessions will be offered via zoom for those who cannot attend in person.

Aristotelian Wisdom in Practice

Our Wisdom group perpetuates Aristotelian Wisdom—the values and virtues, associated with Aristotle. Key to Aristotle’s view of wisdom is “knowing oneself”, so we focus on that in conjunction to learning about special interest topics and have a full slate of guest speakers for the rest of this year.

Our other two key pillars are practicing epistemic humility and the sociological concept of “milieu” which is spoken about often when considering one’s own culture and that of others. Our logo, noted here combines the Tree of Life, representing Wisdom, Connectedness and Health, with the Japanese Enzo circle, implying Infinity.

It was designed specifically for us by a friend of mine. Purposeful-Aging.org is the domain name of my website which is packed with information on aging—health, caregiving challenges, the role of pets in our lives, death and dying, etc.

Each month I distribute multiple emails, LinkedIn and Facebook announcements about the upcoming program.

Everyone is very welcome. There is no cost!

See Wisdom Group at: purposeful-aging.org/wisewomen

Lunch and Learn at University of Denver

Join some of your peers each second Monday of the month for Lunch and Learn sessions from 11:30 to 2 p.m. frequently in room 510 of the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging (same location as Wisdom Group).

The sessions are intended as a midday event combining a free lunch with an educational presentation, workshop or research discussion. There is no cost.

The next date is Oct. 12th and the subject is “Mind, Body and Spirit” with Dr. Rebecca Chopp as the speaker.

Former DU chancellor Chopp stepped down from the University of Denver’s top post after her diagnosis. Years later, she found out she probably didn’t have the disease to begin with.

Sponsorship is provided by Aging at 5280, a local Senior Placement Agency led by a friend of mine, Cindy Koch, Founder. Navigating the world of elder care can be overwhelming but Aging at 5280 simplifies offers comprehensive senior placement services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. According to Cindy, “Our experienced agents work closely with families to understand their specific requirements and preferences, ensuring that we find the perfect match for their loved ones”.

To register for the Lunch and Learns, click here.

Denver Hospice Needs Your Help

As many of you know, our Purposeful Aging Wisdom Group has become a source of information and community for Denver Hospice volunteers. I received a message recently from Kristine Coleman, volunteer coordinator, with a special donation request for the Hospice Inpatient Care Center. TheDenverHospice.org

They are seeking women’s nightgowns or soft, loose-fitting dresses in all sizes that can easily be modified by cutting up the back to allow for easier access during patient care. Gently used items in clean, good condition are absolutely welcome.

If you or any friends/family members have such items that you would be willing to donate, please feel free to drop them off in the Volunteer Office at the ICC 8289 E. Lowry Blvd, Denver, 80230 or bring them to our next Wisdom Group meeting, September 24th.

Thank you so much for helping Hospice provide its patients with comfort, dignity, and a little more of that feeling of home.