Contributing in Every Phase of Life

In his book, Living Long and Living Well, John Rosenow writes about the long trajectory of Martha Graham's life and how her immense productivity was supported in early childhood. "Martha's life is yet another tribute to the people who encourage and support childhood enthusiasms: parents, grandparents or teachers, friends or caregivers – the nanny in her case. Cultivating childhood enthusiasms often enough leads to lifetimes full of joy and wonder.

"Creating and contributing during our Wisdom Years, even in the field of one’s life-long career, doesn't necessarily mean doing it in the same way as when we were younger. Graham danced until she was 75, but the dances she choreographed for herself in her Wisdom Years were much simpler and less physical than the ones of her earlier years. After her dancing ended, she created and contributed by choreographing dances for others, and by teaching. Contributing is not an all-or-nothing deal: Often we must find a new way...If we get stuck on 'I must do it the way I once did it – or not at all,' we may miss valuable new ways to contribute."

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