When I turned 60, I hoped for a river cruise down the Seine. But instead, this midwestern wife, mother, GG to her grandbabies, devoted yogi and magazine writer discovered that her husband, the one who never looked at another woman in my presence, was leading a secret life.

One: “According to Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species,’ it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives. But, the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.” - Leon C. Megginson

I bet Diane has some gorgeous jewelry, but none may be as beautiful as what’s been coming out of her mouth recently. This 76-year-old former fashion designer has become a pro-aging advocate. Feel free to quote her (her wisdom needs to be shared).

During the first half of our adult life, there are all kinds of "I am" statements that define our identity:

“What’s it like to give a TED Talk?”

I can’t say that I grew up optimistic or mystical. I was a bit of a dour kid without a lot of friends. I was probably an “Emo” before that word existed. I didn’t seek out wonder, spirituality, or anything transcendent. Until I was about 15, I was probably more “pessi-practical” than “opti-mystical.”

What first pops into your mind when you hear the word “midlife?” Yep, CRISIS!

“There lies the longing to know and be known by another fully and humanly, and that beneath that there lies a longing, closer to the heart of the matter still, which is the longing to be at long last where you fully belong.” — Frederick Buechner, “The Longing for Home”

One of the greatest lessons of life and leadership has been the importance of opening ourselves to embrace the fullness of our individual uniqueness. This lesson has come at the price of many mistakes and failures; mostly the mistake of trying to live up to idealized images of successful people and effective leaders that were not me.

Why does a date-palm lose its leaves in autumn?