Keep It Moving
Twyla Tharp
23 min
10 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the power of continuous personal growth and reinvention through life's various stages, guided by the wisdom of renowned choreographer, Twyla Tharp.
You'll learn
1. How to age like a fine wine2. Keeping your body and mind sharp as you get older3. Never stop learning, no matter your age4. Tackling life's curveballs in your golden years5. Bouncing back and adapting for a happy life6. Keeping your creative juices flowing, no matter your age.Key points
01Make the most of every life stage to stay in your prime
Twyla Tharp's "Keep It Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life" flips the script on aging. Instead of seeing it as a slow descent into decline, she paints it as a series of exciting stages, each with its own unique perks. It's like reading a book where each chapter brings a new adventure. Let's take a look at someone in their late 70s or even 90s. You might think they're slowing down, settling into a comfy chair, and letting life pass them by. But Tharp sees it differently. She believes folks at this age can still be full of life, active, and engaged. They can keep learning, growing, and making a difference in their communities. They don't have to let their age define or limit them. Instead, they can seize the opportunities each new stage of life brings. So, how do you make the most of these stages? Tharp has some practical tips. She suggests exercises and practices to keep you physically and mentally sharp as you age. And it's not just about staying fit. It's about continuing to learn and grow. For instance, she thinks learning to dance is a fantastic way to stay active, burn calories, and pick up a new skill. In a nutshell, Tharp's message is this: don't see aging as a decline, see it as a series of opportunities. Each stage of life has its own unique benefits and possibilities. By embracing these, we can lead fulfilling, active lives, no matter our age. It's not just about staying physically healthy, but also about continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to our communities. With this mindset, we can make the most of each stage of our lives and stay in our prime for a long time.
02Don't fear getting old, focus on growing and adapting
Fear of being stuck in a rut or becoming insignificant can be a powerful driving force, pushing us to chase the fountain of youth. This idea is rooted in our deep-seated need to stay relevant, active, and involved in life. Let's break it down a bit. When we talk about being stagnant, we're talking about feeling stuck, like you're not making any progress. It's like being in a hamster wheel, running and running but not getting anywhere. On the other hand, feeling irrelevant is like feeling unimportant or insignificant. It's the fear of becoming outdated, of not being needed or appreciated. Now, think about how these fears tie into our desire to stay young. As we get older, our bodies naturally start to slow down. We might not be able to do things as easily as we used to, which can make us feel stagnant. We might also start to feel irrelevant as we see the world changing and evolving without us. This can be especially true in a society that often values the new and the young over the old and the experienced. But there's a way to fight these fears. Instead of seeing getting older as a decline, we can see it as a chance for continuous growth and learning. This means actively seeking out new experiences, learning new skills, and staying involved with the world around us. Take the example of a famous dancer and choreographer who continues to dance and create new works even in her seventies. She doesn't let her age limit her. Instead, she uses it as a source of inspiration and wisdom. This is a real-life example of how to defy the fear of being stagnant and irrelevant. In a nutshell, the fear of being stagnant and irrelevant is really a fear of being stuck and unimportant. But as we've seen, we can fight this fear by embracing a mindset of continuous growth and learning. By staying active, involved, and open to new experiences, we can stay relevant and full of life, no matter how old we are.
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03Keep your promises, whether to yourself or others
04Look after your body, it's got to last a lifetime
05Live in the now, forget the past
06Want to achieve big? Be ready to go the extra mile
07Share your joys and good times with friends
08Learn to bounce back from setbacks, it's key to keep going
09Accept that pain is part of getting older
10Conclusion
About Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp is an acclaimed American dancer and choreographer, known for her innovative and often experimental work in contemporary dance. She has choreographed more than 160 works, received a Tony Award and two Emmy Awards, and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree. Tharp is also a successful author.
