The Creative Age - Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life by Gene Cohen - Book Report/Review Example

Book Report /The Creative Age: Awakening human potential in  the second half of life. New York: Harper Collins. The book The Creative Age: Awakening human potential in the second half of life is written by Gene C. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.  Cohen spent many years of his life studying about aging and creativity and the relation between one another. In this book Cohen emphasizes that people in their old age can start life afresh by experimenting with new things. According to Cohen, old age does not mean the end of life. People can be creative in every stage of their lives - “creativity has always been there with aging, but many have not recognized or searched for it in themselves in later life because society has so denied, trivialized, or maligned it with advancing years.” (Cohen, 2001, p. 5)             Cohen said that the first twenty-five years’ period in a person’s life comprises of infancy, childhood, youth and adolescence.  After twenty-five years there are only two stages, adulthood and old age.  Due to scientific and medical advancement, old people in today’s world live a longer life.  The author suggests that people should no longer think that the activities of the senior citizens of our society should only be confined to reading, sleeping, sitting or complaining over their poor health, “the idea that advancing age could offer exciting opportunities for personal growth and profound satisfaction seems foreign to most people. Even as we listen to news of scientific and medical advances that prolong life, we know that the extra time- the quality of days-can be a burden or a blessing, depending on many things that seem out of our control. We want a promise of something more quality time.” (Cohen, 2001, p. 14) Men of any age should adopt creativity irrespective of caste, religion and gender. Every individual has some qualities in them. Old age is the right time to pursue the dreams which one had in their early lives but could not fulfill them due to lack of time or other constraints.             Cohen was a geriatric psychiatrist who believed that people in the post retirement age has lots of time to cultivate creativity. During his professional life he came across old people who were depressed and sad because their deteriorating health and lack of work made them irritable, lousy and noisy. Though medical organizations treat aging as an illness, Cohen found out that the geriatric age is a time of enormous creativity. Cohen was highly influenced by the great writer George Bernard Shaw who also believed in persistent creativity.  Such analysis and findings were reflected in his writing through the characters that he used to portray in his plays.                Creativity is a great confidence booster in the old age. Creativity has a very positive influence on the health as it helps the person to age slowly and gracefully.  Along with the body the mind is also active. It frees a person from boredom or a dull brain. An old person can live a very happy and healthy life in his old age. Creativity can be found in activities like painting, interacting, cooking, writing, teaching etc. It helps in enriching relationships and building a good network among people, “Creative potential is there in all of us, an inner resource, renewable and vibrant, no matter how much or how little it is used.” (Cohen, 2001, p. 10) Being creative in the later stages of life sets a very good example to the younger generation. Children will take their grandparents as their role model and perceive old age with a different attitude. (Cohen, 2001, p. 11)             People in their old age are usually comfortable with themselves. They can experiment with new things without possessing a fear of committing mistakes because it would not spoil their image in front of others or to themselves. Many famous people like Socrates, Titian, Newton, Einstein, and Nelson Mandela rose to prominence in their advanced years.  Aging or the ‘Encore Stage’ as Cohen calls it, is a stage where people can spend their lives in different ways. They can spend their time either by solving some prolonged problems, or by doing the works that was kept on hold for many years.  Through creativity an individual can make their contributions at both personal and community levels. During the period ranging from early fifties to late seventies a human brain involves an advanced intellectual functioning, which enhances human potential and develops human capability.          Everyone in his or her old age should have a very positive outlook towards life. Old people should not let loneliness or boredom engulf them. They should try to utilize their free time by engaging into some creative work or doing some social work, which will greatly contribute to the society. Old age should not be depressing; it should be full of enthusiasm. It is an age of creation and experimentation. Creativity has the power to change a person’s life even in his old age, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” (Cohen, 2001, p. 251). One can do things they wanted to do for long, but due to lack of time and other priorities of life they could not concentrate on their dreams. An individual can recognize his or her hidden talents and face new challenges with the help of creativity.         An old person will get a new dimension in life, which will keep them happy. Creativity also helps an individual to lead a very financially secured life during the old age.  In one of the many stories cited by Cohen in his book, he mentions about one of the characters named Laura Ingalls Winder who around the age of sixty, at the encouragement of her daughter, started writing about her childhood experiences. Her book got published and she became famous. This talent of writing not only bestowed fame and popularity upon her, but also gave her immense wealth.          People should be very optimistic about aging because it provides time to enjoy and fulfill one’s dreams.  During old age people are mostly over with their duties and responsibilities that might be professional or personal. Old age is supposedly the age for relaxation. This is a period, free from stress and tension for the people.  They can peacefully plan their activities because there is ample time in their hands. They can also commit mistakes while trying new things because no one will blame them.  Old people can adopt new ways to spent their time or work for the society, like doing some social service. This way they will be able to help the needy people.  Through activity an old person will be physically and mentally healthy. Every one might not be able to do things that might make them famous but creativity does provide a chance for making new discoveries.             Reading this book has been very worthwhile for me because it has intensely influenced my thought process.  It has enhanced my perception towards old age and hence the elder members of my family.  I have incorporated a very positive approach towards old age.  The author has emphasized that it is never too late to try new things in life. A person can keep growing through experience till the last day of his life.  Old age is the best phase of life. It depends on how one utilizes this time. It is the stage of life where a person can live his life to the fullest without being scared or hesitant about anything. Creativity is the best medium by which a person can engage himself, “just as aging is a journey and not an end, creativity is a process or an outlook, not a product.” (Cohen, 2001, p. 13) With the help of creativity new discoveries can be made, hidden talents can be revealed.  I completely agree with the author, that there is an absolutely new and positive side of aging.  Reference Cohen, G. D. (2001) The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life, Harper Paperback. Read More