INCLINED ELDERS
BY RAMONA OLIVER
Publisher: BookBaby
Publication Date: July 24, 2020
Pages: 246 Pages
Categories: Nonfiction / Positive Aging
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THIS BOOK WILL BE INVALUABLE IF YOU:
· Have a desire to continue living a purposeful life, no matter what your age.
· Are interested in learning how to maintain a positive attitude from adulthood to elderhood.
· Want to learn how to create a living legacy and serve as a role model for future generations.
WHY EMBRACE AN ATTITUDE OF INCLINE?
For the first time in history we are not only living longer, everyone has an important choice to make: commit to a meaningful, purposeful life of "Incline" as we get older or believe that a new stage – one of steady "decline" – is inevitable. What is not helping is that in the media and society in general there continues the somewhat negative connotation surrounding the concept of aging. And while, at least not now, we cannot do anything about the chronological process of becoming 60, 70, 80 years and beyond, we can change the mindset for it. Embracing change and looking at life with a keener sense of curiosity will lead to living with increased courage to live life to its fullest.
Inclined Elders is a call to action for you to opt for Incline. Not only for your personal fulfillment, but also to help fuel a social "legacy" that increases the number of positive older role models in everyday life. I have written this book to inspire, inform, and challenge you. By the time you reach the last page, I hope you will have made a new choice: to become an inspiring example of a life of Incline so our society relinquishes – once and for all – the notion that aging is synonymous with "decline," "decrepit," "senile," and "over-the-hill."
In this book over 50 men and women ranging in age from 40 to 100 share their tips and techniques on how to live a life of Incline. Their strategies are supported by scientific evidence from the fields of Positive Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology.
WHO ARE INCLINED ELDERS?
We are the women and men who have made a conscious choice to ignore society's negative mindset of "decline" and "over-the-hill" as we age. Instead we embrace a positive mindset of continuing to Incline and climb ever upwards.
Serving as vibrant role models, the Inclined Elders I spoke to for this book are leaving their own unique legacies of wisdom and inspiration for future generations. There needs to be more of us like them to effect real social change. So why not Incline too? There's an amazing view from up here. Come with us and see for yourself.
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HALL WAYS REVIEW: What a breath
of fresh air it is to read Ramona Oliver’s uplifting (see what I did there?) Inclined
Elders. The stories within its covers are each inspirational reminders that
there’s a whole lotta life worth living no matter how many birthday candles are
on your cake. If I am allowed one word to encompass how I feel leaving this book, it’s
“enlightened.” (Okay, I need three words: enlightened, empowered, validated.)
“If the only prayer you ever say
in your entire life is thank you, that will be enough.” – Meister Eckhart, 13th
Century Theologian
While the
above quote isn’t the author’s, it’s the first time I’ve read it, and it’s one
I started really taking to heart about five years ago, after a particularly good
Sunday sermon from my pastor. (And the selection of quotes Oliver sprinkles
throughout the book is just one of the things I loved.) In Inclined Elders, there
are many themes that repeat through the stories of people who choose to live a
life of Inclining, but the one that speaks to me the most is living each day
with gratitude. Even in the worst of times, the people in Oliver’s book focused
on being thankful – and what catches the reader’s attention is how, whether it is
a natural or medical or personal disaster being faced, these people don’t have
to dig deep to find their appreciation for the good in their lives. When being
thankful is a part of every day, it is life changing. (Enlightenment!)
“A goal
without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Author
Choosing to
live a life of Incline isn’t all about attitude; it requires a plan. (Empowerment!)
At its simplest, the plan requires nothing more than this: keep moving. Key to
Inclining, not declining, is daily stimulating activity for both brain and body.
For some, this is natural, but for many, this is a huge adjustment, both
physically and mentally. And I know all too well that some just aren’t willing
to make the effort. (More on that below.) Oliver shines the spotlight on the
messages we are fed about aging and calls BS on them all. (Starting with the myth
of biologically induced midlife crisis right up through those so-called golden
Years defined by sitting in an easy chair.) We all have choices, and reading Inclined
Elders made me realize that even though I’m nearly 54, I chose a while ago
to live a life of Inclining. (Validation!) I have reinvented myself at the past several decade marks – switching majors at 20, changing careers at 30, getting my master’s at 40, becoming a small
business owner at 50 – and I had models in my maternal grandmother and in my
mother to continue learning, stay curious, and most importantly – keep the body in
motion.
“Old age is
hell.” – Nana (my maternal grandmother)
Nana was a
force of nature, and after age 80 or so, this was her mantra. She lived to 94, spry and sassy, and let me tell ya, she gave it right back to the devil every day until her
last day (and then I am certain she blew raspberries at him as she ascended). There
aren’t guarantees, of course. Being thankful, having a plan to Incline, and taking
brisk walks every day doesn’t mean you’ll see your nineties and beyond. In my own
life, I know all too well that there are cruel twists (I could easily list a
dozen right now.) My mother, who was active and clever and grateful and happy
(and truly a light in the world) was struck by Pick’s Disease and died five
years later. She was 74. My father, who is also grateful, sharp as a tack, and
quite happy, hasn’t been active since his 30s, and can’t really walk any more
because he’s chosen, literally, to recline, is 87. By choice, he lives in a
lift chair and rarely leaves the house. At his annual exam each year, the
doctor tells him he really ought to do something, but with zero health
issues, and genes that would indicate he’ll live into his mid-nineties, Dad
just asks, “Why?” He is happy with his choice to sit and watch life from his
chair, and he’s grateful that he has the financial means to get the care he
needs and has family members who are willing to come to him for visits. To each
his own, I suppose. But again, it circles back to choices: we all have a choice about how we want to think and act as we age.
For those
readers looking for a real guide and do-able steps to adjust their paths to be more
Inclining, Inclined Elders is that book. The book is well-organized into
sections that first inspire, then instruct, then offer opportunities for
reflection and action. Plus, Oliver cross-references chapters and directs
readers to the incredible resource pages at the end of the book – and the
resource pages direct readers back to the chapters. Excellent. She has done her
research, and the reader benefits from it because her research not only supports
the assertions she makes, but she also provides the sources in an extensive
notes section for readers’ further investigation, if desired.
Upon finishing
my first reading of Inclined Elders, I have several takeaways. To
begin, I say “first reading” because this is a resource to be revisited, as
life throws its inevitable roadblocks. (I’m checking out the “Mindfulness
Solutions” in the next day or two. Enlightenment!) Secondly, I have shifted my
thinking to be about what I’m modeling to my kids and grandchildren. (Okay, I only have ONE grandbaby so far, but surely with five
kids, there will be more). With Ramona Oliver’s help, I’ve realized that I’m
still a work in progress, and I understand that as a person choosing a life of
Inclining, that’s as it should be. (Empowerment!) Finally, though 99% of the time I feel like
a hot mess, Inclined Elders showed me that I am what I am, but I’m also
doing a great job Inclining as I approach my mid-fifties. Validation!
I highly
recommend Inclined Elders to readers primarily ages 40 and up. It’s a
quick read, it’s inspiring, and it teaches a mindset for all to embrace.
Ramona Oliver has long been a passionate educator with former roles as a human resource manager/director, career coach, and director of outreach for St. Edward’s University. As a human resource director for many years, she championed the professional development of employees. While serving as president of the Austin Human Resource Management Association, she led a team that designed, developed, and implemented an award-wining leadership program. In addition, she launched a workforce readiness committee that partnered with community organizations to implement workforce readiness initiatives. At St. Edward's University, she promoted lifelong learning and the adult undergraduate and graduate programs to older adults in the Austin community.
Ramona currently serves as an advocate of positive aging. Rather than accepting a mindset of decline, she is passionate about living life with an attitude of Incline. Ramona has been published on the Changing Aging website, offering posts with titles such as "Can We Please Stop Calling It Aging," "What Are We Missing When We Settle for Life Stages?" and "Leave a Legacy and Live It Now!"
Ramona is a recipient of a Book Excellence Award for her current book, INCLINED ELDERS: How to rebrand aging for self and society. It has been recognized for high-quality writing style, book design, and overall marketing appeal.
She earned her Master of Business Administration from St. Edward's University. Ramona lives in Austin, Texas where she enjoys practicing yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and Nia and participating in various community groups.
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FOUR WINNERS:
2 winners: autographed copies of Inclined Elders.
2 winners: Kindle copies of Inclined Elders.
Giveaway ends midnight, CDT, 7/17/21; US only.
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