THE PARADIGM SHIFT FROM A YOUTHFUL OBSESSION TO A MODERN MATURITY

23.12.10 / Men's Health-Erectile Dysfunction / Author: admin

None of us can deny that dramatic changes occur in these mature years. The encouragement of this book is:CHANGES bring CHALLENGES, which present us with CHOICES that can lead to CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.The part of aging that involves pain, deteriorating bodies, and facing our mortality isn’t easy to work through.We will never say that all of the changes should be celebrated. Aspects of aging are frustrating, but maturity can be magnificent. Our deep belief is that the after-fifty years are the best part of the life span. However, this requires an attitude that accepts challenges, choosing to turn them into creations of intimacy and comfortable solutions.Let’s be fair, there are probably days with each of us that we wonder if there are any solutions. The body has sagged or we are having the menopause from hell or the penis and orgasms just aren’t the same.But, pessimism and believing the myths can cause us to grow increasingly bitter and resentful. We hope this book will encourage and facilitate many of those positive and creative solutions. We need one another as we support and fight our way through the difficult times into hopeful solutions.Many older people find that long-term relationships have created a comfortable joy in their lives. We believe it is a truism that “old dogs learn more tricks!” Maturity has learned that it is insanity to keep doing things in the same way and expect different results. We choose, sometimes reluctantly, to take challenges through to creative solutions. The power of maturity can exist but be derailed by myths and distorted thinking. Let’s face it, we will have to dramatically shift our beliefs and attitudes to take advantage of our potential.As we are confronted by the myths about middle and old age, a paradigm shift seems desperately needed. The idea of a “paradigm shift” conveys a wonderful variety of concepts. We’re describing a complete shift in thinking and acting—so that we move outside the box and create a whole new perspective with a new vocabulary.I  was at a party recently with friends in their fifties and sixties. I heard so many comments: “You look great—you’re sure not showing your age.” “He doesn’t look a day over forty” “That haircut is so youthful.” “She could put a thirty-year-old to shame.” I felt like getting up on a chair and shouting, “People, we’re in our mature years. Who cares about being described as being thirty years old?”It made me aware that we need new attitudes and ways of appreciating one another: “Wow, your gray beard is distinguished.” “You sure are spry.” “What a wonderfully wise way of approaching your mother’s nursing home.” “I admire the courage you are showing in bringing Bill through his prostate cancer.”If we who are hitting our fifties and older will band together and embrace this paradigm shift, amazing results can occur. We can dispute our misbelieves and develop a new and wise way of dealing with aging. It’s been fun writing this book with the comradeship and fun humor of fellow older adults. We understand one another, and our joking, though it seems like dark humor to someone in their thirties, gives us perspective on our aging bodies and changing values. Down deep we know:Changes bring challenges, which present us with choices that can lead to creative solutions.Maturity rocks. We think you will see this as the book progresses. Work on a whole new attitude about aging as you make a true “paradigm shift.”