Snippets of my Personal Pilgrimage

ASCENDANCY

Snippets from my personal journey

Was I a President’s therapist? One knows better than to ask. Certainly my clients included the nation’s power elite, artists, renown creators and everyday people like you and me. I’ve spent my gratefully long life studying, exploring, educating and eventually teaching pragmatic, alternative, authentic ways of healing, tailored to the needs of individuals, couples, groups and organizations. There is no one way that suits all.

For close to six decades, I’ve been a National and International psychologist, psychotherapist, relationship expert, consultant, visionary, author of three books, keynote speaker and columnist carried by many diverse countries. At 76 I re-Tired. To my surprise, after a period of rest, I became re-Fired. My history is unusual, peripatetic, expansive, extensive, eclectic, encompassing many arenas of expertise. I was originally trained as a psychoanalyst. Disenchanted with the rigidity of psychoanalytic thinking, I traveled the world seeking, learning and eventually teaching and consulting alternative often integrating holistic ways of helping people navigate their life issues. (We all encounter stumbling challenges along our way). For 13 years I was the co-founder and co-director of a well-respected professional training institute. For several years I was the face of sexuality and relationships for AARP with my own show on their TV Network, “My Generation” I also hosted my own shows or was an active guest on media and in print. Below is a list of some of the venues where I could be found.

I believe, I was born curious. I have memories of being in my crib and wondering, as much as a toddler can wonder, about what I saw in my room. At age 7, I can recall asking questions that are unusual for a child that age to ponder. Frequently my questions might be termed spiritual. Another series of questions involved what I now realize were observations of dissonance. Why were some elevated and admired individuals, apparent crooks? Why did my friends refuse to answer my questions about sex? Did God exist? And if so, what did that imply?

Specifically, in the second grade, when we were all asked what we wanted to be when we grew up? All the boys gave the standard answer, doctor, lawyer, Indian chief. The girls all wanted to be nurses, teachers, secretaries, homemakers. It was the late 40’s and options were few.

I had just learned about how tunnels were constructed under rivers. Fascinated, it occurred to me that water was essential for life and could be used for good or ill. It kept crops growing, put out fires and it also caused destructive hurricanes and floods. It was also obvious to my 7-year-old mind, that water’s arc was eternal. When my turn came, unaware that I was offering an unusual response, with the full conviction of an innocent second grader, I resoundingly responded, “I want to be a raindrop” Silence, then laughter ensued. Fortunately my teacher stopped the class from ridiculing me and asked me to tell her more. Miss Coopersmith then took me under her tutelage and for the rest of that year encouraged my multitude questions. She gave me wondrous books to read. With gratitude I believe she helped save my life or at least kept my inquisitive Self alive. And so my journey as an eternal student and ultimately educator of the human condition and life continued drawing me to far-flung places and a variety of disparate experiences

Questions about sex always interested me. Few questions were answered until the 60’s when half the country was fighting the Vietnam war. The other half was protesting. Women got the pill. Bras were burned in protest. Chaos ensued. I explored. I’ve been exploring and educating ever since.

THE SENSUAL SAGE AND ASCENDANCY:

We have many terms for those under 50. Infancy, latency, adolescence to name a few. Over 50, we have one: Old Age. True, there are variations such as Boomer, Zoomer, Senior and others, however most of us still cling to this phase of life as an aspect of youth-extension, lusty hormone-driven sexuality. Or we give up sex altogether, Many other cultures such as Japan, China and other East Asian cultures, even some animal kingdom species, Bonobos for example, from which we partially descend, value their ancients whose wisdom has been garnered with age. Why don’t we?

I’ve coined the term ASCENDANCE as a bookend to Adolescence, Mid-Life and every life stage in-between. With added years, hopefully an individual, whatever life challenges they face, begins to achieve a dominance over their outlook. They are rising or moving upward towards a sense of integration. Movement and growth continue. They (we) have become the pioneers we used to seek.

Unlike our grandparents and perhaps even our parents, “We Are Still Rockin’, “only not in our chairs. For this new evolving life stage, we need a new Love-Style for our New Longevity. Passion and yes, sex, still exists. Why else would there be a surge of STD’s in nursing homes?

In an age where duplicity has become the norm. I, as The Sensual Sage, will cover timely topics about life over 50, various challenges, and “yes” sex. Whatever your sexual orientation or choice, with or without intercourse, studies show we live longer and happier connected with others. Relationships are complex. Intimacy is a choice. Here, I will explore my concepts and yours, about how to live these extraordinary years to our fullest.

Quietly or with zest, we have an opportunity to love, give back, mentor and most importantly be our most empowered authentic selves.

I hope you will join me as we embrace this ever-evolving journey together.

Here you will find some of my articles, Many of my quotes, Information about aging well and tons of information about sex after 50.