To Inspire:

I’ve just begun a book that my colleague, Michelle O’Brien, shared with me, JOYSPAN: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half, by Dr. Kerry Burnight, a geriatric physician who writes and speaks extensively on longevity.

For Kerry, longevity is not just the number of years one lives (lifespan) or the number of years lived in good health (healthspan) but rather how many years a person enjoys living (joyspan).

As she shares in her book, “to thrive in old age means to live a fulfilling, purposeful and satisfying life despite the challenges that accompany aging. It involves maximizing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, social connections, and a sense of meaning. Thriving doesn’t mean being free of all health problems or challenges; rather, it emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy and value in life. People don’t thrive in longevity by mistake or luck. People who thrive in longevity actively maximize the quality of lives.”

I’ll share more in the weeks ahead but for now, let me share the four critical actions that Kerry says are non-negotiables for people committed to joyspan:

Grow: They continue to explore and expand their life;

Connect: They put time into new and existing relationships;

Adapt: They adjust to changing and challenging situations;

Give: They share themselves with others.

Give one or more of them a try this weekend! Life, what a gift – let’s live well, let’s live with JOYSPAN!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder