The New ‘Old’ – 4 Models & Muscles for Your 100-Year Life
How Biden, Stewart, Kissenger and Whang-Od Are Rewiring Our Stereotypes
This article first appeared in FORBES, and is reproduced here for elderberries subscribers.
Henry Kissinger turned 100 this week and is busy predicting the future of US-China relations, Martha Stewart is flaunting seductive swimsuits at 81, Jo Biden is running for President at 80, and Apo Whang-Od has become Vogue’s oldest cover story. Whatever you think of the individuals, their collective impact is undeniable. Older folk are disrupting our stereotypes and our stories.
Humans alive today have been gifted longer, healthier lives than ever before in history. But individually, we don’t always expect to live as long as is now likely – or know what to do with the bonus decades we’ve been given. These modern elders are giving us some important life lessons. They are starting by rewiring our brains – not to mention our media.
These four famous (some would say infamous) models of 4th Quarter living have something in common. Each has learned to flex 4 muscles that strengthen with age – persistence, innovation, insight and generativity: