Richard Johnson holds a doctorate in gerontological counseling and has worked with religious groups across the United States and Canada on ways to make the most out of the middle and later phases of life. He is the executive director of the Association for Senior Adult Ministry in St. Louis, Missouri. In this engaging paperback, he presents healthy plans for aging in body, mind, and spirit, which he sees as a whole new perspective on the subject that is still avoided by many Baby Boomers.
The author presents 12 keys to spiritual vitality and begins with "Transform your attitudes about maturation." The challenge in a culture which manifests the prejudice of ageism is to celebrate our own aging as "a valuable process of growth and development." Johnson quotes Gerald Jampolsky who has stated that all human behavior is either a statement of love or a request for love. Spiritual men and women are called upon to "Seek love everywhere" as we move through the closing stages of our lives. The third key to spiritual vitality is truly being present, open, and generous with others; Johnson calls this "delight in Connections." Another key is a familiar one to many of us, something we have had a lifetime to refine: "Let go of anger and other inner turmoil."
Johnson does a fine job revealing the gifts of aging and its positive and life-affirming qualities. We especially liked his concept of the fountain of youthfulness as the love we have for others, luster as deep internal beauty, and virtue as applied love. This book paves the way for reaping the benefits of mature spirituality.
