Dynamic Aging offers a journey, exploration using yourself as a research subject to embrace strategies that will lead to a richer, fuller life in the years after retirement. The realization that ten thousand people retire every day is staggering. People who are above one hundred are the fastest growing segment of society. The implications for health care, recreation, housing, Social Security and Medicare are mind-boggling. Futurists are trying to project possible solutions to the demands these changes will bring. Those who are living these dramatic changes can resolve to be involved in the dialogue and offer experience-based wisdom to move us to the next point of discussion: individually; as a social group; and, as a society. At every transition point in life we have the recurrent dilemma of figuring out our role all over again. We have learned to recreate ourselves at each developmental stage of life: i.e. childhood, teenager, young adult, parent, career, retirement, and beyond. Can you remember the challenges of going from childhood to pre-teen, then teen years, adulthood, career, possibly marriage and parenting? As we recall these times, we realize how much we have learned along the way that can be applied to the next development stage which Leif Erickson calls "generativity versus stagnation." If, indeed, as social scientists predict, we are going to be living much longer lives, it behooves us to model a new way of being that will change the present paradigm on aging. The generation of the Baby Boomers has the challenge and the opportunity to create new input that will impact present and future attitudes toward aging. In the final analysis this book is about empowerment. Empowerment is defined by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), as a "long term process affected by and resulting in changes in norms, values, rules, institutions and social relations." As this generation of new retirees determines to look squarely into the face of the present paradigm, see its flaws, its limiting belief systems, its prejudices, we can begin to ask the questions, challenge the assumptions, and demonstrate a new way of living. Dynamic Aging is a beginning. The psycho-spiritual practices that are offered in the book can be a grand experiment in soul work for those approaching these most rewarding and challenging years
Joy Sloan Jinks, a native Georgian, widely known for her leadership skills and speaking ability. Her demonstrated leadership has been as a community organizer, a consultant and an entrepreneur. She received the Governor's Award in the Humanities for her contribution as founder of Swamp Gravy, Georgia's Folk Life play. She served on the Advisory board of Georgia Council for the Arts as appointed by three Governors of the State of Georgia. She is a national consultant for community development through the Arts and Culture and has spoken and given workshops in states ranging from New Hampshire to Louisiana. She is also recognized as an entrepreneur, founder and president of a gourmet condiment manufacturing company. In recognition of her entrepreneurial activities she was a national finalist in the Avon Women of Enterprise competition and received the Georgia Industrial Developers Award. She was the founder of four not for profit organizations and served as Chair and Board member. She received the Colquitt/Miller county Chamber of Commerce "Life Time Achievement Award" for her contributions to her community. Her mission has been to be of service which has been fueled by her love of life-long learning, not only for personal growth but to share with others and to inspire new approaches to current problems. She has traveled to every continent except Antarctica and spoken in Kenya, Canada and Scotland. She has studied under renowned teachers such as Jean Houston. She has trained with the Institute of Cultural Affairs to volunteer in Peru, Brazil, India, Kenya and Jamaica. Every experience had added to her skill base and been used to develop programs and organizations which empower local people and enable creative social change. This is evident in her first book Dynamic Aging. After a long and interesting life, she has enlarged her interest and sphere of influence to speak to those who are retiring and to challenge them to change the cultural paradigm about the years following retirement. She has the experience, knowledge and skill to be a leader in the movement that will impact all social and psychological barriers to enjoyment of a dynamic life at any age. She and her husband live in Colquitt, GA. have three children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Joy invites comments and dialogue from her readers. Please contact Joy: Website: www.joyjinks.com; Facebook: https: //www.facebook.com/joy.jinks?fref=ts; Email: joy.jinks@swampgravy.com
