For most people, living a long life is the ultimate goal. But the “cranky old man” stereotypes that surround aging are not especially good ones. So how can people grow older without becoming out of touch, obstinate, and, well, grumpy?
Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn has some musings on that as he celebrates a milestone birthday, and he joins us to talk about it.
Below, a Q&A with Zorn.
Who inspires you?
My dad was an incredible role model who was really active mentally and physically. The body is slowing some but he’s always on Facebook and reacting to news stories and thinking about issues but not in a bombastic way. Anyone who’s still active in their 80s is inspiring, but I was also thinking about negative inspirations – people checking out and hardening and not being interesting to be around. If you’re not interesting, you tend to get isolated. I’ve been thinking about that for a long time. I don’t want to single anyone out but there are certainly people who close down. One thing that I stress is you have to be outside of your own mind if you’re interested in people – not closing your mind about what other people are doing. And you can’t be a know it all or blowhard.
What is it about landmark birthdays that make people reflective?
There’s something about flipping the odometer, you start to contemplate the big questions. When I turned 40, I started a program with readers at the Tribune where we got together and ran a marathon. I said I’m turning 40 this year, I’ve never run a marathon before, who’s with me? We had meetings, training groups, progress reports online. Some readers said it changed their life.
Have your thoughts held up? Rethought anything since 50?
I think it’s held up pretty well. It’s maybe a little more trivial in some ways – it didn’t deal with the big themes of life. One that seemed to resonate with people was the one about devoting 10 minutes a day to get started on something. The problem is breaking out of inertia. I used the 10-minute one to learn to read sheet music, and I’ve done pretty well on that one.
What has the reaction to your column been?
People seem to like it. Probably the comment I got the most is that I left off volunteering – I was thinking more internally. Another one was “vote as if you were still 40” – young enough to care about future, old enough to remember the past.
Related stories:
Does This Amish Family Have an Internal ‘Fountain of Youth’?
Dec. 13: A gene found in an Amish family in Indiana may hold the secret to living longer and healthier. We speak with the lead author of a new study.
Words and Wisdom About ‘Aging Thoughtfully’ in New Book
Nov. 21: In a culture obsessed with youth and beauty, aging can be an ugly topic. The co-authors of a new book discuss retirement, romance, wrinkles and more.
‘Nice Ink, Granny!’: Local Senior Brings Color to Chicago
Nov. 9: When Helen Lambin got a small tattoo for her 75th birthday, she had no intention of ever getting another. But the experience “made me feel sort of adventurous and wild,” she remembers.