Title: Living Well Later In Life
Author: Michael Townshend
Publisher: Toplink Publishing
ISBN: 978-1949169904
Pages: 328
Genre: Self-Help
Reviewed by: Norton Willis
Pacific Book Review
If ever there was an “Instruction Manual” for preparing for retirement and the silver or golden years, author Michael Townshend’s Living Well Later In Life would qualify as the official how-to book on aging.
Townshend was 70 years old at the time he wrote this book, and I am 65 at the age reviewing it. I could not have been asked to read and review a more significant title! As one baby-boomer to another, the information on everything from monetary concerns, aches and pains, work, friendships and love – all from the perspective of looking into a mirror and finding the true you – plays out in a non-presumptuous, frank and honest flow of advice.
Of particular appreciation were Townshend’s mind (brain) exercises. Not only with the spiritual benefits of prayers, and the self-image growth of repeating a daily mantra of appreciation for success; but the added activities of reading, writing a journal, and keep learning as an activity makes for a healthier lifestyle all around. Keeping up your physical appearances of dressing nicely, grooming properly and having the outward persona of success will make you glow internally with the successful feelings you have been accustomed to throughout your working career. Retirement can be fearful, being the unknown; but when viewed as a positive challenge the benefits will prevail.
Quoting philosophers including George Carlin (who also was a comedian as Townshend points out) even society has a warped view on death – they avoid the word. “Your Aunt Tilley passed,” one would say. “Passed what, gas?” “No, we lost her.” “Well I’ll be right over to help look for her – she couldn’t have gone too far.” “No, she’s dead.” “Why didn’t you just say so?” “That would have been impolite.” “When is dying impolite?”
With these types of explanations woven throughout this insightful book, along with the stories, facts and statistics contained within, plus the psychological healthy lessons of dealing with stress by not fearing the changes, all together makes Living Well Later In Life a totally captivating read. It is as if you were discussing the thoughts you have and are going through with a colleague who has come to grips with every aspect of dealing with the changes of getting older.
At one point I chuckled when Townshend by-passed further explanation of a topic writing, “I’ll save that for my next book.” Low and behold he does have another book already titled Living Well Until the Very Last Smile. For me, this is definitely on my wish-list to read. The main point is that each and every day you must find a reason to have a big belly laugh; an ear-to-ear grin, a smile and truly deep laughter. It releases the type of endorphins which God gave us enabling us to live to be 100 years old – or at least die trying!
As Townshend says he’ll live to be 100, I can’t wait to read all he has stored up in his very empathic mind, enabling age-colleagues of his to learn and grow into old age without fear. Living Well Later In Life is the best way to get on with the rest of your life. It is an excellent birthday gift to an older person, or a must-have gift to yourself if you’re old enough to remember watching black-and-white TV.
