E. Betty Levin: The Wisdom of Aging

Longtime ECS member, peace educator and psychotherapist E. Betty Levin speaks about her life and experiences as she approaches her 90th birthday:
I don’t know how I’ve come to reach almost 90 years of age, while tapping into some measure of wisdom. It’s not necessarily in my genes — I’ve had only one relative who achieved longevity, my brother Lester, who lived to 91 but was a disciplined athlete. Until almost the end, he worked out daily at the gym. I merely attend Healthy Bones once a week and Chair Yoga, co-led by our Karen Bokert, twice weekly.

My role models have taught me much. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing, explains it this way: “Everyone can be wise. It’s very simple — we all make mistakes. When you finally learn from your mistakes, then you become wise.” And I’ve personally flubbed mightily in the Mistake Department.

In my presentation, I will speak of other role models — how we keep growing and learning till the end of our days. Achieving knowledge is a life-long experience, not necessarily confined to institutions of learning. The longer you live, the more opportunity to discover morsels to season, digest and absorb. Thus becoming an elder offers the possibility of triumph.

I’m not entirely sure why I’m writing my memoir. It first started when Stephanie, my granddaughter, at age six, asked me, “Grandma, what was it like growing up in those days?” It went far beyond that query to become a process of self-therapy and healing. I’m achieving a new understanding of the phenomenon called “The Life Journey.” I recommend that everyone write her/his memoir.

At the program, I shall distribute a recommended bibliography that includes books about peace and other ideas I have found of value.