Page 76 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

by Chad Ketcher
W hy do we dread getting older? Part of it may
be our youth-obsessed culture, which shames
people for aging - as if it were something to
avoid. We lift our faces and color our hair to
hide the advancing years.
But another reason may be our fear of the unknown. The
fear that we are racing headlong into unpleasant things we
cannot control or avoid - dementia, poor health, or loneliness.
The fear that we won’t have any choices for our own lives.
They call them our Golden Years. Wouldn’t it be great if we
could face them confidently, with a sense of empowerment?
The second annual Aging Gracefully conference (Saturday,
May 9 at St.John the Evangelist Church in Naples) was created
with this in mind. In this powerful three-hour presentation,
women in their forties, fifties, and beyond will learn strategies
for managing their overall wellness into their later years.
Event guest speaker Mary Lawyer has seen it first-
hand through her work with The Blue Zones Project. “The
communities where we see improved longevity are places
where family is important, the elders are not just discarded,
and people have a high sense of purpose and belonging.” In
that environment, she shares, people live healthier, stronger
lives and “have fewer bad years at the end of their lives.”
“Our goal is [to empower women] to take actions that
contribute to longevity and well-being, both for themselves
and their communities.”
One thing that makes this conference unique is that it takes a
holistic view of a woman’s life. Women are complex beings, and
just like the various dimensions of their lives are interwoven,
the Aging Gracefully conference embraces that wholeness by
weaving together the topics that concern women.
Take health, for example. Event speaker and co-organizer,
Gaynell Anderson shares, “Current research relates our
posture to the essential health of our bodies, affecting every
physiological function, from breathing to hormonal balance
to nervous system function, and the disease process starts
with postural distortion. My passion is helping people reach
their optimal posture and functional ability to promote
optimal health and well-being.” She continues, the keys to
maintaining good health are the same today as they were
76
for our grandmothers, but have been largely forgotten in modern
medicine. Going back to that lost wisdom will help keep our cost of
healthcare low.
But healthcare isn’t the only financial consideration. We wonder,
do I have enough money to retire? What if my spouse passes away
or becomes chronically ill? How can I pass along my experiences
in a way that my children can learn from? Event speaker and co-
organizer Jill Ciccarelli-Rapps will share the “Seven Steps to Your
Family’s Financial Success,” gleaned from her family’s decades of
work in financial planning.
“This year’s theme, ‘Wisdom through the Generations,’ really
represents those powerful lessons that mothers pass to their
daughters and granddaughters,” she continues. “As women, we all
are miracles and each of us have gifts. We pass along stories and
lessons about becoming self-confident, and encourage the women
in our lives to uncover and share their gifts.”
The conference will also feature 30 organizations from the Naples
area that offer resources and services to help women approach their
golden years gracefully.
“Think of it this way,” says Ms. Ciccarelli-Rapps, “Where else
can you spend a morning with a room full of wise women that
have lessons to share, to improve life for you, your children, and
grandchildren? It’s a great way for mothers and daughters to spend
Mother’s Day Weekend together.”
JOIN US!
Wisdom through the Generations
When: Saturday, May 9th
Time: 9 a.m.-Noon
Where: St. John The Evangelist Ballroom
Conference is complimentary, but reservations are
required. All are encouraged to bring a donation for one
of our featured charites.
Reserve your seat today at
aginggracefully2015.eventbrite.com
or call 239.262.6577.
Life in Naples | April 2015