Last fall, the Women’s Center at the University of Connecticut (which I helped found back in the 70’s) had their 40th anniversary celebration.
For the occasion, they invited one of my long-time heroes, the renowned feminist activist,
Ms. Gloria Steinem as their
keynote speaker.
During her talk, she told a story of being asked what she saw as her greatest accomplishment.
Her answer? “I don’t know, I haven’t done it yet.”
Ms. Steinem has been at the forefront of the women’s movement for almost 50 years.
And besides being the author of several best-selling books, she has been the one to frame the issues that have led to so much progress for women and men throughout the world.
And because of her ability to stay calm and cool under pressure, she was frequently called upon to debate people offering sincere and often not-so-sincere questions.
During this particular Q&A session at the Women’s Center, someone asked if Ms. Steinem would mind sharing her age. She didn’t hesitate to tell the audience.
She is 78 years old.
At the age of 78, after a lifetime of groundbreaking contributions, she still believes that her greatest accomplishment has yet to happen.
Now I am 63 (will soon be 64, actually), and I find this truly inspiring, because I can really identify with this sentiment.
And I couldn’t help but think of all of you, our community at NICABM.
Ruth Buczynski, 2nd from the left, with Gloria Steinem and other early organizers of the University of Connecticut Women’s Center
As practitioners we have so much to offer. With our highly developed skills and expertise, each of us has no doubt contributed greatly to the lives of our patients.
But with our advanced training, we have the potential to make a huge impact far beyond even that.
So today, I want to challenge us to dream big. Our greatest accomplishment and contribution to the world may yet be ahead of us . . . no matter what our age.
If you let yourself, what would you dream of yet accomplishing? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts below.
astrologer devanand, Other, AU says
Thank you for featuring Gloria Steinem’s empowering insights on your blog. Her wisdom and advocacy for social justice are truly inspiring. It’s wonderful to see such important conversations being shared and discussed. Keep amplifying voices like Gloria’s and fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that matter.
Fiona, Clergy, miami, FL, USA says
Get your Ex lover back..
Fix broken marriage/relationship………………
100% result guaranteed..
I am living testimony..
Visit…………………..(Dr_m a ck ‘ ‘ ya ho o… co m)
Classified Script says
I likewise conceive thus, perfectly written post! .
YugalSarkar.com says
I really like your writing style, good info, thanks for putting up .
Mimi Lupin, L.P.C. Hot Springs, Ar. says
I want to make a difference for millions of children and their divorcing parents by completing the film that will help these parents make the internal changes of body, mind and spirit so that these parents will be able to be emotional available for their children. These skills necessary would include the use of mindfulness, meditation, yoga and other skills that are needed for them to calm their nervous system form all of the stress, and to grow and learn to divorce in a more peaceful way. Our trailer can be seen on our website.
Joyce, scholar/educator says
I have had a rough few months. My husband has been seriously ill. I haven’t worked for two months on the book I am writing. I am 66 and was thinking maybe this is it.
Thank you for your message of hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nada Malkoc, Massage therapist and clark says
I am very impressed by Gloria Steinem’s work and accomplishments and looking forward to her greatest accomplisment. I love reading your posts and feel inspired by them.
My greatest accomplishment would be getting involved in creating eco communities and to live in mindful way every day. When we put our ideas out there anything is possible. Keep creative juices flowing.
linda domenitz, Higher Education Administration/counseling says
I would love to contribute to any movement and/or effort that contributed to a cultural shift, resulting in greater awareness, appreciation and movement toward a more systemic and unified effort to develop responsible stewardship of human and natural resources throughout the world. …..something small like this might rate on my bucket list.
On a more practical level, I would like to strengthen and grow my clinical skills to their highest level so that I can be the most effective agent/facilitator of healing with those with whom I work.
Jan, Multi-dimensional Trauma Psychotherapust and writer says
Wonderful question and thinking….
I am satisfied with what I have contributed, but I would also love to contribute more to the refining – and sometimes utter redirection – of some of the basic organizing principles of Western psychology. And that particularly includes those “truths” that are thus far blind to the benevolence that flows beneath the surface of our embattled personalities.
Nicole Ann Ditz, holistic depth psychotherapist says
You are all amazing, wonderful and inspiring people! I love reading your posts and find your ideas and accomplishments fascinating, moving and exciting.
For me, this issue of “accomplishment” continues to be a burdensome one. I am one of those survivors of trauma who has not quite live up to her “potential”, being very bright and “promising” and also carrying the legacy of having a grandfather die in a concentration camp while working on a tome on inorganic chemistry and being a nobel prize nominee. Too profoundly depressed and struggling with ptsd to rise to my ivy league school capabilities, I made it through grad school and started a private practice while others were still finishing their degrees. Close to 20 years later at age 47, my practice continues to thrive, although I have never accepted insurance payments. I work with the most fascinating soulful professionals and artists and feel sometimes like I should be paying them instead of vice verca. Imposter syndrome lingers in bits and pieces…
My emotional struggles with the notion of accomplishment is compounded in being married to an oncologist/hematologist/palliative care expert who attended three ivy league schools and who carries a CV that reads like a lengthy novel. She completely supports whatever I want to do with my life and thinks I am brilliant and great even while she happily supports my endeavors financially.
l GUILT?
I feel that given much innately, I should give back to the world in a huge way by writing dozens of books, being on a busy lecture circuit, being a philanthropist, starting foundations, centers, on and on and then dying, having “fulfilled” my potential. However, I don’t feel very “ambitious”. I like to be the person rallying for others and watching them succeed in writing books, teaching, starting their foundations. It seems to be so old fashioned, being the woman behind and supporting the success of others….
Do any of you struggle with feeling the burden of your accomplishments and contributions never being “enough”? There is so much need in this world and here I am spending time writing on this blog when I “should” be out in the world creating more radical change!
How much is enough? I look at someone like Gloria Steinem, whom I worship, and feel like I am not doing my part. Yet, the irony, is that I feel so fulfilled in what I am doing!
This phrase haunts me still-“To whom much is given, much is expected.”
Overall, I have become a very content human being, but I worry about complacency and my contribution a good deal of the time.
Sandra Morales, Counselor says
Awesome insight, as professionals is understanding that the legacy does not stop with ones performance on specific individuals it is a continuum in the growth of our capabilities. Probably accomplishments is a continuum in the human process!
Helen, Health promoter says
My greatest accomplishment would be in being able to weave a health and wellness cooperative network that allowed people who wanted to live and grow in stewardship of their bodies, their families, their communities and the Earth.
The system would provide venues for organic gardeners, artists, therapists, and all making use of their talents, skills, passion and resources to lead the way to wholistic rejuvenation. People would understand about all the free and low cost ways there are to have healthy fun and get in the right kind of food and ways to nurture in body-mind-and spirit. Physical activity could actually make productive use if their energy expenditure or create energy to power things that have more recently been fueled “by the grid”. It could be fun… Not slavery and with everyone doing just the right amount of work based on their fitness level, it would not be too hard for anyone unless their were training to do high fitness level activities.
Cost-effective water reclaimation systems would safely capture and water gardens.
The ITEX and Health Bucks systems would allow people legal ways to get what they needed by contributing what they do and making use of what resiurces and equipment they have to put to use. The pressure would be lessened on the government and federal and local states and people would be more engaged with local control and actually cooperating within families and neighborhoods and regions.
Of course, a big issue that requires a safety net action plan is what happens to those people who are not magnanimous, those who had a lousy childhood and do not know or want to know how to change, those that are stuck in substance abuse…including pseudo foods, sex, gambling, and the other harmful coping mechanisms such as tobacco, alcohol, and legal and illegal drugs? What do we do to help those that can not deal with being honest, those who want to keep the materialistic false society that feeds the money-hungry illness care machine going and growing like a cancer?
I want to join with all in the present who are continuing the pioneering work of those from the past and the pioneers coming in the future. I want to claim my place at the table in a world that works for everyone.
Lynn Dean, Retired educator/administrator says
A friend shared this site today & I look forward to making it useful, but my real reason for writing this is to learn if Gloria knows the whereabouts of Marie C Wilson. Marie was my boss at Iowa Banker’sAssociation in the 80’s before she joined up with Ms. Magazine & Gloria. She remains the single most admired person I have ever known, helping me see that respect for women matters. She has also inspired my teaching & mentoring of teachers.
Grace Smith, Counselor says
I have just turned 75 and I have the opportunity to enter a new and exciting phase of my life!
A new post-graduate 3 year course is being offered by the University of Stellenbosch in collaboration with the South African Institute for Mindfulness training.
I am excited to have been given the chance to develop new skills and experiences to enhance my own life style and ultimately to contribute to the well being of the people who I am assisting in enriching the third stage of their life!
Sara, psychologist says
I would dream of having such excellent self care materials that groups of people could do peer counselling, their own growth work and the old style leaderless “consciousness raising” groups. They could have their own “mindfulness” groups, trauma support groups, reading groups, webinars, etc.
We would become the primary health care providers. consultants when individuals request that.
Health care costs would decline dramatically because people would be accountable for their nutritional and lifestyle choices and would make the best possible choices.
Harriet Collopy, retired social worker says
If I can learn to be in the moment and love from that place, I will have accomplished my goal in life. I am almost as old as Gloria Steinem. I read her book in the 60’s and admire her initiative and perseverence. If each of us could pour out more love on the world it would make a mind blowing difference.
Molly Light, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) says
I would love to find a way to help people learn to trust all that they are and all they can be.
Phillip Bettin, A&D counselor says
I have worked in the addictions field for 27 years, if i could contribute one lasting contribution to my field it would be a methodology for discovering and divining the “one thing” in clients that would be the source of their motivation to change, I try to look for what I call “currency” what makes them tick, what drives them, whats makes them want to get up everyday and go out in the world and exceed at whatever it is they want to do, and whatever it is that they want to change. I think there is that “one thing” in all of us and rooting it out is the hardest thing to do and requires a huge amount of trust and willingness on the part of the therapist and the client to finally get to the root of it.
I would then hope for the inspiration to assist the client in coming up with a doable plan to accomplish and create a better/higher version of themselves and that higher version would ripple out and effect change in many other lives. The old adage is that if you want to create a better world create a better you. I have had many great teachers help me create a higher version of myself, if the student is ready and motivated the teacher will appear. Phil
Marsha Sage, Therapist and University Faculty says
I was born in 1956 and grew up with Ms. Magazine on the coffee table and beside the bed. Ms. Steinem is one of my BIGGEST heros. I teach a graduate level Human Sexuality course and take a whole morning to present Feminism, Gloria Steinem,and looking at how the woman’s movement has changed history, and the impacts on couples and counseling. It is my favorite part of this course. I would like to see a world where everyone feels safe. Where we all have true freedom to chose, without discrimination. Thank you Gloria, Ruth, and all my sisters before and to come.
Sara, psychologist says
I recommend reading Molly Cole and her mother Susan Cole. Molly is the daughter of two Lesbian feminist activists. The sperm donor is a brother of the non biological mother.
Ruth, clergy widow says
I’m 61 and probably qualify for the prize “the graduate who never wanted to lose touch with her friends”. Our high school class and my nursing school class have had several reunions and I still have the group pictures from residence when I was getting my B.A. in English. And then I put my husband through his M.Div. program and I know where those grads are as well. Most of us are at the stage of life where we are putting down our “caregiver” roles. Our parents and for some of us our spouses are dead; our children are educated and mostly married with their own families, and we are retiring from something that claimed a huge chunk of our lives.
2015 is the 40th reunion of my nursing graduation class and the first reunion planned with the assumption that most people will be retired. There’s a lot of excitement and planning going into having a big weekend beach party.
It seems like everyone I knew in my late teens and twenties is at the same stage. We’re celebrating our original accomplishments and contributions and now it feels like we’re 18 all over again. We get to choose once more only this time we know ourselves better and we have what in other eras would have been a lifetime of experience. Why not pick a date and reunite with old friends and talk about hopes and dreams and brainstorm about what we envision will be each of our greatest accomplishments and contributions in life. My high school year book recorded for each of us “Ambition” “Probably Fate” “Favorite Past time” and “Favorite Saying”. Maybe we need to fill in those blanks again.
Susan Shifman, Stress and Trauma Release (TRE®) Teacher says
I am 10 years younger than Gloria Steinem, and I believe the best years are ahead. There is always more to learn, more to experience. My legacy? Who knows. I believe that if each day I can relieve tension or trauma in those around me, I am bringing a more peaceful environment to the planet.
Patricia Murrell, Counselor/hypnotherapist says
Gloria is a true gem, but my goal is simply to be the best I can be. I have learned that we will never know the impact we have on others thruout our lives. I have been privileged to get feedback from people I don’t even recall that I was significant for them.
Each day, actually each moment is an opportunity to do good for self and others —and we always have to start with self. But since we are all interconnected that is the beginning of our impact in the world.
Sharon Massoth, LCSW, Psychotherapist, Intuitive Coach says
I am 63. My husband and I got tired of shaking our heads every time we saw a leader “outed” for risky behavior. As a non-profit CEO, he asked me to help him write a book to help leaders address their own personal issues before they try to lead. The book will be published next month, “The Alchemy of Authentic Leadership”. The book written between a CEO and myself, a therapist/intuitive coach/psychotherapist was a lot of fun to write. We write about the BeOUTEDtudes, the attitudes that lead to risky behavior, tenets of leadership and ways to heal into wholeness. I love what NICBAM provides for practitioners such as myself and included in the book the many healing modalities studied such as EFT, EMDR, Mindfulness, etc. Listening to my intuition and passion led the way to offering a gift to leaders instead of shaking my head once again!
Ruth, retired clergy wife says
I totally agree that there’s a need for your book. Well actually I usually think, “Did you learn anything as a kid in Sunday School?” So I guess there is a book written long ago that is the world’s leading best seller but I really hope you can grab the attention of those who missed the lessons the first time around. It’s so sad to see people publicly disgraced because they dismissed the basics. It’s like a talented musician stumbling because he started thinking he no longer needed to practice the basics of his craft.
anne, licensed counselor says
Reading these comments is so inspiring! We women are so wonderful 🙂
Not sure whats coming up for me, but I know its different, and fulfilling and full of growth and kindness and growing towards a more Real self every day. Volunteering with deaf children in mexico or latin America? Bringing mindfulness and meditation, and `the work’ by Katie Byron to new deaf clients or ?? a blog to share with more people?
Joyce, Planetary Pilgrim says
My greatest accomplishment yet to be is to continue to walk the path with heart,to love deeply and awaken to my Real Beautiful self, in other words to grow my soul ,as I understand that great love creates miracles! I want to be a conduit of Divine love!
Kathryn Tull, Psychotherapist , Radio Host, Author says
I just turned 57 last week, my oldest child turns 33 this week, and I know I am becoming more and more myself every day. I have grown a private practice, published a book, raised three children mostly on my own, and just launched my own Radio Show, Compassionate Conversation, on UBNRadio.com.
I have much ahead! As my knowledge grows, my passion to help others and contribute to a transformational shift grows. Each and every one of us makes a difference!
Sandy Carter MA LPC, Psychotherapist/ Play Therapist says
I want to see a play therapist on staff at every Head Start program in this country, beginning with the county I live in. I want to see mental health services for children, especially children in underserved communities, adequated funded, accepted and respected. I want to be a part of the movement that brings the knowledge and skills of self-regulation, trauma release and emotional well-being to these least among us.
Ted Hagen, PhD, Professor says
Ruth,
As I shared with you in a private reply, Gloria Steinem has always been both a crush and a hero to me. When she did the keynote at APA in New York my daughter was heading to graduate school and a new marriage. We arrived just in time to see Gloria and then introduce ourselves afterward. She was so gracious and vibrant in that encounter. My daughter commented that that moment was a peak experience in growing up with a feminist father. I have many more things to do in this life even though I have retired from 3 professions and I am the grandfather of two boys (I am 64, soon to be 65.). That moment calls me to do new things for a world where we can celebrate, enjoy, and be creative with our gender differences without making them battle lines. Thank you so much for reviving for my daughter and myself the peak experience that Gloria Steinem carries in her spirit.
Peace,
Ted
Nicole Ann Ditz, holistic depth psychotherapist says
Ted, I love it…a feminist father!!! I have several in my private practice and adore them. How lucky your kids are! I was raised by a calvinist, holocaust survivor with very old fashioned views about the sexes. However, he, out of all the family members, welcomed my female partner warmly when introduced…it helped that she is a physician 🙂
It is interesting that my involvement as a young woman in the Boston Men’s Movement in my 20’s prepared me to become a feminist in my 30’s. It was somehow important for me to understand the psychology of the dominant sex first who are also terribly oppressed by a patriarchal system and its values. I remember how ashamed some of the men in my grad program were who carried the “guilt” of being male, caucasian, and middle class. I also remember a couple of the feminist professors having less empathy and more implicit blame for them than they should have demonstrated. Lastly, I remember a couple female students protesting that they were raising sons and didn’t want them burdened with the stereotype of being ‘oppressors.’
In the end I wonder if the word “feminism” is not problematic. How about deep “humanism” for all of us? We are all oppressed in some ways and are all oppressors in other ways.
Clare Simons, 2nd Year Graduate Student says
I would love to discover a cure for, or a new way to treat something no one has been able to do up to this point. Maybe something to help in the treatment of Autism or Alzheimer’s.
Anne Merkel, PhD, Energy Psychologist says
I’ve always considered Gloria to be a hero too… and like you both, I continue to strive to better myself and what I offer to others through my practice and life. Yes, the idea that we still have our greatest contribution coming is the promise of evolution for ourselves and others. As we continue to learn, we expand. I plan to complete a second doctorate (this one in Naturopathy) in 2014, 30 years after my first one… in order to share more support modalities with clients. We must continue to strive, as our generation continues to bridge the way for the younger ones. Thanks for sharing! Gloria looks fantastic, as usual!
Louise Deville-Cavellin, Registered Nurse says
I am 67 years old and was semi retired until being offered a new job to assit a good friend of mine, Kim Boucher, O.T. , founder and CEO of Unlimited Possibiities for Children, a non-profit providing integrative health services to children and families around the globe. These services will include:energy medicine; accupunture; yoga; tai chi; qi gong; relfexology; massage; art/movement and dance therapy; sound immersion and vibrational therapy; drumming; nutritional counseling and cooking classes; fitness programs with an emphasis on tweens and more. I have been a nurse since 1977 and have worked mostly in the areas of psychiatry and hospice. I feel that the “best is yet to come” and I feel a tremenous surge of enthusiasm to be part of this special project, providing services to children and their families in a way, that few, or if any, other center has done before. So I am excited to be part of something that is “trail blazing”, healing and creative! And to continue to learn, grow and serve. I feel very blessed to be part of Unlimited Possibilities for Children!
Jennifer Stevens, Clinical Psychologist says
The most healing I witness occurs when people allow themselves to be vulnerable, not in a “risky” sense, but an “open” sense. Open to be aware in every moment, realize their true potential, be mindful of their environment and intuitions, and always strive to evolve. Recognizing potential and giving permission to do things differently changes those long-standing patterns of static neural connections. My hope is that through sharing a perception of wellness, rather than illness, people will enjoy a world of possibilities, rather than a world of dictation. And, just as Gloria Steinam referred to, the greatest accomplishments are those not yet realized!
Kim, Psychotherapsit says
Coordinator of an International group to raise human rights just as much as self-efficacy for women and children.
MaryKay, Farmette! says
Gloria is glorious! I would expand a not for profit farm-based retreat to facilitate the deeply natural and rhythmic connections humans share with the earth’s abundant flora and fauna, where simple, profound joys await, inner peace thrives and imagination predominates!!
Eden, Student again says
My thoughts exactly, Marykay. That has been on my mind for years now. Take everything I have learned over the years and build a retreat center. The seed has been planted. Now to watch it grow.
Steven W. Rhodes, Faith Community Nurse/CAM Practitioner says
Although surprised with disabling health issues & total work abilities in 2009 @ 59 1/2 yo, my view has been the same as Ms. Gloria Steinem’s. It was about that time I added ‘nicabm’ & your offerings to my ‘regular diet’ for my path. Thanks so much for the enhancements! Not so retired- Steven Rhodes, RN,FCN
Charlotte Thaarup, Clinical Mindfulness Consultant says
I think that the issue is that the ‘biggest thing’ is a construction, who knows what has the most impact, the ripple effects are unpredictable and unmeasurable. What might have much meaning to one person perhaps has none to another. Mother Theresa said: ‘there are no great deeds, just small things done with great love’. Our greatest contribution might just be that doing things with love, pure intention and presence – but the results – who knows.
Colin James, Clinical legal education says
I love this post Ruth, and I love your work.
Colin
Joyce Cole, Investment adviser/ financial planner says
Just knowing kicks in sometime after 60. That is the spiritual aspect of years of thinking, learning, and experience. To just know requires confidence too to trust it….. But without arrogance. So why retire that skill…..women and men could harness that knowing to serve…if not in a working format in a counselling and advisory role for social good.
Rod Mitchell, Healing Fear Specialist says
I’m 60 and feel I have just served my apprenticeship and am ready to really get started – on healing the fears of our species and the frightening situations that these fears keep creating as we pass them on in our daily interactions and in the institutions we create.
I am challenging the denial of these feelings that is implicit in our focus on anxiety and our ignoring the fears that create it.
I love facilitating the healing of fear, in myself and others. It frees up our thinking and our ability to create a society that works for all and exploits none, including the planet.
I’m excited about the challenges ahead.
profhmj Kulshrestha, counsellor says
fear is simple feelings in us, lack of self confidence, clarity of though process as well as ,if undergone traumatic situation.
ask ownself, what were the fears encountered -during the past one year, one month and the last week, how many have come true/happened. we are alive and fears not actualised, in most cases, then it is psychosis, one should set the daily tasks and accomplishments of these attainable tasks berecorded by self and develop, self praise seeing the results.aim is to improve risk taking and difficult tasks to overcome fear.
find a friend whose accomplishments are recognised by ownself, talking to self mirror image of his even small attainment will enhance self image and confidence on day today basis.
thanks
regds
Barbara, clinical social worker says
I hope my greatest accomplishment will be to work with our nation’s veterans to help them address their PTSD. First, the challenge is to get them to accept help, to move past the stigma of seeking help. If we can demonstrate convincingly that there are treatment modalities that work, and work quite rapidly, like EFT (or tapping)’ the impact for them could be huge.
Sherilyn Wolter, Actress says
I would start a school for the arts on the northshore of Kauai. One where theater arts, film-making, music, dance, voice, painting,,and scupture would be taught at a low cost to the students. It would be a non-profit venture attracting the interest and support of many wealthy, well-intentioned residents. We would also offer lodging and fee for invited professionals to teach for a few days or a week. There is not much for the youth to do on this side of the island at this time. There are also many retired people who would enjoy a creative outlet.
Classes for everyone from 5 to 105. Performances held regularly in the attached theater.
I would also produce a collaborative multi-media show much like the format of Gregory Colbert’s travelling masterpoece, ‘Ashes and Snow’ about Kauai, it’s history, it’s people, it’s beauty, it’s culture, new and old. It would blend the work of many of the island’s artists. It would travel to schools all over the island.
I would act in at least one project a year, direct one, and write one.
I would address the issues of Tibet, nuclear proliferation, gmo, ufo, and the morphing gender roles we’re experiencing, in informative, dynamic, inspiring theater.
Mary, editor/writer says
Beautiful! And as you manifest this colony of artists who will need witness for their creations and talents, be sure to manifest appreciative audiences of people who have leisure time to enjoy the collective contributions. In his book, LEISURE THE BASIS OF CULTURE, Josef Pieper made the point that a population who enjoys leisure time in good balance with work will be have open minds that allow for observation and appreciation for others.
Mae Lucas, pianist/piano teacher says
I’m 67, enjoying reading the dreams of potential contributions by people close to my age and older. I’d like to compose songs and/or more complex music to inspire others to deepen their connections to spirituality, sensuality, sexuality, connection to the earth and other beings, healing, and energy of the chakras. I’ll write poetry and set it to music, adding piano accompaniment and perhaps one or more other instruments (violin, cello, clarinet, oboe?).
holli newman, LPC says
great question as i wait for my next client….i will be 67 in august, having no idea what that means actually other than it is a number that i have never been at before!!! i feel that i have been an excellent therapist, however burdened by the confines of how we should be; i want to break out somehow and connect people with their higher truths without fear, there is so much to do, it should be “life without borders”, no anarchy here, just getting that we are all in this together, somehow….a dream of a different kind of bigness!!! thanks for asking on this rainy monday in richmond. Miss Nicbam, miss the conferences, miss the energy of people
holli
LIsa Dejanovic´, Retailmanager says
I would love to contribute and help all humans to fill their lifes with love and kindness to themselves and to their neighbours to stopp the hate and violence in our world.
Barbara ., psychotherapist/marriage & family therapist/trauma therapist says
I dream about writing a book about my evolution as a psychotherapist — from traditionally-trained psychodynamic, through family systems, clinical hypnotherapy, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing. It is a fascinating, broadening journey.
Gabriele Engstrom, Biofeedback practitioner and Hypnotherapist says
Hi,
So true I am similar age, and just wrote a profile of myself and realised. I have so much to offer, now it is not always about learning but also sharing what I know.
It is a new dimension and an exciting one indeed.
Ciao Gabriele
Edith Coleman, Librarian, editor, customer service says
Doing something that leaves the world a happier and more loving place because I’ve had the privilege to live in it.
Nicole Ann Ditz, holistic depth psychotherapist says
Edith, I can tell you are already fulfilling your intentions as I feel the love and kindness in your words!
What a beautiful sentiment, and one too easily forgotten, that we are greatly privileged to be alive out of all the souls who could have been chosen! Your altruism and lack of overbearing ego are a delight and deeply touching to this particular soul….
Truida Prekel, Innovation and change catalyst says
Thanks, Alice for passing this on into our South African circle, and thanks everyone for a rich tapestry of dreams and wisdom, with the common theme of wanting to make life better for many people – being mindful and meaningful. I am 72, and also still very active – loving what I do, and doing what I love. Gloria Steinem resonates with much of what I have done – I was one of the pioneers of women’s advancement in South Africa in the 1970s.
What I do now is even more exciting – helping to create collaborative rather than competitive climates, and open-mindedness in businesses, communities and universities. For example, this month with four of my associates we will be teaching collaborative creativity and innovation skills to about 200 engineering and science students who have scholarships from one of the largest companies in South Africa – the students are mostly African, and many first-generation students. What a joy to share “new” thinking skills with such eager, responsive groups!
We are also fascinated as we further explore how the approach we use, SynNovation, based on the Cambridge USA-based Synectics (which some of you may know), ties in with findings in neuroscience – and why and how our practical ground-rules and tools help people to think and relate better. There is so much exciting new stuff to learn and apply! I hope to live and learn until I’m at least 90. My favourite aunt started learning an African language when she was bed-ridden at 92, and my great-uncle was director of 17 of the largest companies in South Africa at 90. But I intend taking more time off for more music and art in my later years 🙂
Day Piercy, Holistic Living and Learning says
I am 66 and share Gloria Steinem’s view of life. I believe a new liberation movement is emerging with women’s leadership at the center and in partnership with men. Together we have the potential to build a NEW society that nurtures everyone’s wellbeing in a sustainable future of freedom, democracy, equity, social and economic justice, care for ourselves, each other and the Earth, our home.
This week I am reflecting about Nelson Mandela’s life and work. When he was 64, he was freed from prison and truly these past 30 years of his life (he will be 95 in July) are a remarkable testament to the resilience of the human spirit and our capacity for continuous growth, learning and contribution that makes a difference. Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy inspire me to hope in challenging times that we are living through now.
Richard Hite, Multimodal Therapist says
I am 60. Healing needs to be taught in our schools. Self directed EMDR is very effective when learned and practiced by people of all ages. Without the eye movement EMDR is just another chat therapy that is not very effective. Using the alternating pulses of energy to positively affect the neural functioning of the brain is easy to learn. I have taught thousands how to use this the alternating pulse energy without a single negative result reported. Learning to use it puts the “locus of control” right where it needs to be for recovering addicts and PTSD patients. Some of the recovering addicts I have worked with have successfully used the eye movement to curb cravings for benzos, heroin, cocaine and nicotine.
My goal is to revolutionize the integration of education and healthy living skills.