Society has prescribed this idea of growing older as sad and lonely—which may not speak to your experience at all. What if you are having a great time? What if instead of being seen as burdensome by society, you’re looking forward to the next phase with hope for discovery and new opportunities? Connecting with Ourselves and Others as We Age validates this and more! Book 2 in the Aging with Finesse series, Mary Flett offers essays that provide the wit, humor, and wisdom for aging better and age well. It’s important to remain connected with oneself as well as others over the lifespan in order to stop feeling alone or isolated and in order to counteract the social pressure to just fade away. These essays on how to stay engaged socially, emotionally, and spiritually will challenge you to think about what kind of legacy do you want for yourself, your family, and your community. They offer ways you can live a life rich in meaning and purpose now! Book 2 in the Aging With Finesse series, Connecting With Ourselves and Others As We Age , continues Dr. Flett's survey of the modern process and impact of aging as it discusses new opportunities posed by growing and establishing new connections with self and life. Unlike many other books on aging on the market today, the focus on how to achieve the positive benefits of aging uses Dr. Flett's experiences and blog as a pivot point for exploring the process of continuing growth and evolution. Connecting with others first requires connecting better with self. Both pursuits involve the reader cultivating a more open, flexible, and mindful approach to aging and growth than they may have harbored before picking up this book. As Connecting With Ourselves and Others As We Age documents not only the benefits of making these diverse connections but shows how those unfamiliar with the process can begin, it provides another brick in the wall of exploding common myths about aging, being stuck, and living in the past. As a companion to Valuing Ourselves as We Get Older , it continues a program of insight and connection that is recommended for any collection strong in the psychology of aging and self-help opportunities for changing its progress and perception. - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Mary Flett's books are the very best guide to take on your journey of aging. -Sam Keen, American Philosopher, Author, and Former Editor of Psychology Today The delightful and seductive quality about Mary Flett's hard-earned wisdom is that she offers it delivered with more than a dash of wit, irony, modesty, curiosity, and succinctness. I always come away lighter and reflective after reading one of her essays. Probably none of us would say "Yippee" about looking at our elderhood. Mary lets the medicine go down painlessly and easily so that the experience of or, anticipation of, elderhood is something to which we can look forward, not resign ourselves. She is not only an experienced professional who has seen many in her work as a psychologist, but speaks from her own experience, which in the end is the only authority that we can trust in ourselves or others. Her books are a Michelin three-course dinner. You will dine well with Mary! -Jill Mellick, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Clinical Psychologist, Artist, Poet, and Author Mary L. Flett, PhD, is a writer, educator, and retired psychologist with over 30-years' experience working with aging adults. She currently resides in Sonoma, CA. Dr. Flett grew up in the Midwest, graduated from college in upstate New York, and moved to California to find herself. All of which has offered her opportunities to share her insight and wisdom with new audiences. Dr. Flett has a background in theatre and music, and has used these talents on stage, film, and in living rooms around the world. She has taught everything from swimming and whitewater canoeing to psychopathology and mindfulness. Dr. Flett has written music, plays, academic and professional books, and has recently published a three-book series of essays. After having completed a Masters in Counseling Psychology, she received her doctorate from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Since then, as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Flett has worked in crisis residential facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and for local county government. Additionally, she conducted quality improvement at both county and federal levels. Dr. Flett has taught psychology and counseling to both graduate and undergraduate students in state and private colleges in California. She was a nationally recognized presenter on diagnosing psychiatric conditions and on issues related to treating aging adults. Dr. Flett is also the author of the seminal work, Mastering the DSM-5 . Now retired after 20 years in private practice as a licensed psychologist, Dr. Flett is turning her energy to writing and producing workshops. She offers seminars on aging through Five Pillars of Aging, and publishes through Five Pilla