Comments for Welcome to the 3rd Act!

Comment on “Esalen 2012″ by Bev Scott by susan W

susan W — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:57:33 +0000

Perhaps the aura of Esalen is being enveloped in the dramatic beauty of simply breathing and being. I envy those who experienced the opportunity for enrichment you made available, and for both of you to step out of your comfort zone, make it happen, and learn from the process. Thanks for nudging me not to forget that I can do the same.

Comment on “Beginnings and Endings Coupled with a Paradox or Two” by Patricia Cavanaugh by Meredith Stout

Meredith Stout — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:45:15 +0000

Thank you to Patricia, Charles and Bev for this particularly moving and thought provoking issue of the 3rd Act Newsletter. Your articles are rich in delving deeply into what can happen to us in our lives, either by a stunning, split-second transformation or by slow accumulation of wise reflection. Congratulations on your work, Meredith

Comment on “My 3rd Act – Taking Nature, Beauty and Art to Prison” by Charles Seaborn by Medea Isphording Bern

Medea Isphording Bern — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:52:32 +0000

I’ve been fortunate to know Charles and his generous and gentle spirit for many, many years. That Charles transformed a horrible, painful moment into something that redeemed so many others–isn’t that what we all hope we would do in the same circumstance? The courage to own our darkest demons, to look inside with honesty and clarity to find who and what we should be solves the existential dilemma, but how many achieve it? So many lessons in this story. Thank you for bringing it to us.

Comment on “How old are you? The Impact of Ageism” by Bev Scott by Bev Scott

Bev Scott — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:35:26 +0000

Al,
Great comments. I like the image of the “file drawer”. I am finding that the ghosts of negative imagery show up at odd moments, a conversation, listening to a report on the news, or reflecting on an event or experience in my past. What has helped me most is to continue to express my gratitude for the present and the joys in my life as I did in my blog on turning 70 (http://the3rdact.com/retirement-transition-and-change/seven-thoughts-of-gratitude-on-turning-70-by-bev-scott/)

Comment on “How old are you? The Impact of Ageism” by Bev Scott by Alan Davenport

Alan Davenport — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:28:58 +0000

Bev,
Your comments are timely for my current struggle with my internal images of myself, my role in the world, and my future. With 70 very soon, it is only a catalyst for spending time on some of these issues.
You distinguish between institutional ageism (coupled with and/or driven by widely shared societal attitudes) and our own internal “mental models” we hold. Clearly I have the most potential of working on what is in me. Unfortunately, much of what is “in me” is not readily identifiable, it is not labeled and tucked away in a specific file drawer. And even when I act on some aspect of my own negative imagery of “being at my age” I may not recognize it.
Why do I choose to tell some “I am turning 70″ and not others? And saying I am proud of being 70 does not mean I have removed any of my internal negatives about being at that age.
So, I am wanting to clean out my “internal ageism” closet. Yet there are few of “Heloise’s Tips” for such a closet cleaning.