After the passing of her husband of 55 years, Othmer pushed herself into a journey of self-discovery, self-awareness, and discovering ways to incorporate joy into each day. "His end was not the end,” she writes, noting that he had let her know it was instead “a new beginning for him and me.” In that spirit, Othmer shares fun ideas to enrich life and curate a reason to smile every day and promotes living without fear and daring to acknowledge one’s age and embrace “what we have experienced, what we know, and what we have become.” Filled with poems, lists, and engaging exercises and prompts, Joyous Longevity finds Othmer ruminating on simple pleasures, from being curious and learning new things to traveling and socializing with new and old friends.
Her guidance is as inviting as it is hard-won. "Best of all, be curious about yourself,” Othmer urges. “Ask what else you might try in this lifetime.” Through connecting with the Earth or finding quiet moments of solitude, Othmer's personal anecdotes and advice is refreshing, positive, and motivating. A welcome resource for readers feeling stagnant or lost, Joyous Longevity is packed with actionable tips that can easily be incorporated into any lifestyle.
Takeaway: An uplifting guide to finding joy and living life to the fullest at any age.
Comparable Titles: Allen Hunt and Matthew Kelly's The Fourth Quarter of Your Life, Gladys McGarey's The Well-Lived Life.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-