These days it seems like we're all trying to stay young, and age gracefully at the same time.  Is there a middle ground?    I think you'll find all kinds of ideas to chew on in this episode dedicated to the truth about aging.   In this thoughtful and lively conversation I get to talk with John and Susan Swanson of Vancouver, Canada.  I've known them for over 40 years now, and at ages 78 and 76 they're busy and - not busy.  There's time to fall in love with trees and notice clouds, and there's time for new discoveries and to pick up hobbies that went by the wayside in youth.  We'll talk about what it feels like to age, about the acquisition of wisdom, thoughts on a personal identity that does not revolve around one's career, and of course we will touch on the topic of death and dying.  And I ask the most important question of all:  is it ok to get older?  Will we be ok in our older years?  Have a listen to find out. 

Resources:
Radical Acts of Love:  20 conversations to Inspire Hope at the End of Life by Janie Brown
this book is available wherever books are sold, but we reccomend you look for it at your local independent bookstore.

Author Janie Brown is the founder of the Callanish Society, which serves those who are living with and/or dying of cancer.  https://www.callanish.org/the-story

More on the meaning of cherry blossoms in Japan: https://notwithoutmypassport.com/cherry-blossom-meaning-in-japan/

On Meditating on One's Own Death:  an article in Tricycle Magazine:  https://tricycle.org/magazine/death-awareness/

Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin on Successful Aging:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqbSg2HFAV8