Cheryl Greenberg, Ed.D.Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, Ed.D., works as a coach, or guide, for seniors and their families as they consider and plan for changes in their personal and work lives. Contact her at theagecoach@gmail.com or 336-202-5669.
The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu spent a week teaching me about life. What a joy!
OK, they didn’t actually come to my house, but they had a week-long conversation that was recorded in a book, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, and as a video, Mission: Joy.
The Archbishop and the Dalai Lama, in their 80s, talked about seeing life as it is, accepting the highs and the lows, being engaged with other people, and, most importantly, being empathic and supportive of others.
In our society, we are reluctant (in fact, mostly silent) when the question of the “value of our lives” comes up. We are silent about reviewing our lives, aging and the end of life. Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama, however, were boldly open about looking at their lives.
They knew they had experienced hard knocks: The Dalai Lama has been in exile for more than 50 years. The archbishop was a major leader in the struggle for equality in South Africa and elsewhere. However, they both openly reviewed their work, valued their accomplishments, and believed that being active and involved, compassionate and generous, are the ways to live a good life and feel joy.
I thought I would be saddened hearing about the difficulties these leaders experienced. Just the opposite happened. While they dealt with weighty issues, they joked, laughed, and kidded each other about being mischievous.
They were a joy!
And their invitation to think about what we have accomplished already and to feel the satisfaction of making an impact did feel joyous.
What have you already accomplished? What wonderful impacts have you had on a child, a colleague, or a community member? What is one thing you have contributed to the welfare of others? What is a challenge that you faced up to?
How does this make you feel?
The archbishop also reminded us that we need not stop “doing” as we become older. We can continue to be connected and supportive … in his words, compassionate and generous … throughout our lives.
And, as the Dalai Lama reflected, “I am determined to live to be more than 100 years old to continue to do what I can to help beings.”
Truly, spending a week with Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama was a joy!
Would you like to talk about new ways that you, or someone you are caring for, can stay active, healthy and loving who you and they are today? Contact Dr. Cheryl Greenberg at TheAgeCoach@gmail.com.