I was interested to hear about the Legacy Project (Cornell University) on a CBC Radio show Sunday afternoon.
It used to be that people turned to their elders for sage advice. Now, seniors are isolated from us like never before.
This Project interviewed many seniors about how to live a good life.
The most common lesson, was that life is very short. Don't waste your precious time in the rat race just because the money is good. As for marriage, it was often expressed that is important to find a partner that shares your values.
They were interviewed on a number of topics.
http://legacyproject.human.cornell.edu/
The Legacy Project has systematically collected practical advice from over 1500 older Americans who have lived through extraordinary experiences and historical events. They offer tips on surviving and thriving despite the challenges we all encounter.
Advice From Life’s Graying Edge on Finishing With No Regrets
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/he...anted=all&_r=0
ON MARRIAGE A satisfying marriage that lasts a lifetime is more likely to result when partners are fundamentally similar and share the same basic values and goals.
ON CAREERS Not one person in a thousand said that happiness accrued from working as hard as you can to make money to buy whatever you want.
ON PARENTING Most important, the elders said, is to spend more time with your children, even if you must sacrifice to do so.
ON AGING Maintain social contacts. Avoid becoming isolated.
ON HAPPINESS Almost to a person, the elders viewed happiness as a choice, not the result of how life treats you.