#Vortex: An infinite abyss of space where time stops all together. Can be compared to a black hole, any and everything in close proximity gets sucked in and can never come back out”.
Some would suggest retirement to Florida is like being “sucked in”. Indeed, it is the peculiarity of living in a Southern Climate; time stopping for us mostly gray hairs. Folks casually enjoying the weather and their opportunities to engage in recreation (indoors and outdoors). The sense of nothing but ourselves ageing as the days all begin to swirl together and life marches on – wait something has changed…
Months ago listening to a Sunday Sermon, the Minister was discussing how the mind wants to conserve itself and in doing so relies very much on routines, generalizations and opinions. Imagine that our mind creates this master template, where all inputted information must fall within and conform to our predispositions, attitudes and prejudices. This channeling of information reflects our mind’s tendencies and it is how we respond or fail to respond to stimuli. There are significant benefits in constructing the mental template: it conserves energy, it is more efficient and generally we can predict outcomes due to our wisdom and experiences. For example; We Americans, culturally have a natural instinct to trust others; this facilitates a positive functioning society as we are not always “looking over our shoulder”, but evils lurk on the perimeters and this innocence invites peril. However, if we lived our lives suspect of everyone around us, all the time, we would always be completely exhausted, unproductive, unimaginative and develop misanthropically with a paranoid personality. Fear would strangle us in all interpersonal relationships.
#Theory V: “represents the Vortex of Declining Mediocrity. It is the downward swirling negative psychological pull, which is apparent in all organizations, especially those that have just gone through a downsizing, a non-productive re-engineering phase, general mismanagement or other traumatic negative experience to its staff. It attracts everyone in its path, and some immediately fall into its grip leading to a downward performance cycle because they are comfortable with its false sanctuary…………….”.James Carlini
Herein, today, we find ourselves and the great society to which we have everything invested in, suffering an unthinkable calamity. A Viral Tsunami, so powerful that it will forever impact us and our loved ones. Forthwith a shroud of death and sadness blankets contemporary life. It is stunning to me as I sit here with my doors wide open; feeling the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the sea breeze and the view of the unrestricted thriving natural habitat; whereas on another parallel level; my family, friends and society are facing a cultural blizzard; literally fighting for survival; physically, socially, financially and spiritually.
My friends our Personal Template, regarding life in America, is shattered, free falling before our ageing eyes. Our Society, both behaviorally and objectively will be changed, forever. Our children’s world will be different. This event will impact them, certainly as dramatically as World War II shaped our parents values and insecurities.
Avoid becoming part of the downward spiral, which undoubtedly will become the “great sucking sound” of the “OK Boomer” population, once this storm has passed. I encourage you to choose to be strong in every way possible. Practice your faith, stay physically healthy, use your knowledge, influence and wealth to help build a better world. It will be uncomfortable to move outwardly from the Vortex of our Ageing, into becoming a positive influence in the breathing new life and hope into our offspring. But moving, with grace and speed, offers those around us a viable future. Be ElderStrong and gracefully – get up with vigor and become one positive messenger in love and trust.
By acknowledging our Christian Values, may we find spiritual motivation to assist each other in what may turn out to be a Long Winter of Cultural Angst. And do our part in making sure that we, our loved ones and our community once again “Flourishes”.