The New York Times bestselling author of The Wonder of Boys offers a holistic and uplifting look at the emotional‎,‎ spiritual‎,‎ and cognitive dimensions of aging and how to celebrate life after fifty‎.‎ The years after fifty are generally discussed in terms of health‎:‎ what are the physical symptoms that come with advancing age‎,‎ and what can we do about them‎?‎ The Wonder of Aging goes beyond these topics to serve as both a spiritual‎,‎ meditative guide and a practical exploration of the emotional and psychological dimensions of the second half of life‎.‎ This profound book looks at aging as something positive‎,‎ life‎-giving‎,‎ and miraculous‎.‎ In his characteristically accessible and moving prose‎,‎ family therapist Michael Gurian shows how we become elders‎.‎ The world needs our wisdom‎,‎ he argues‎,‎ and he shows us how to develop and share it‎.‎ Called the people s philosopher for his ability to apply scientific ideas to our ordinary lives‎,‎ Gurian sees life after fifty as an enormously fruitful‎,‎ exciting‎,‎ and fulfilling time‎.‎ Drawing on groundbreaking research in neuroscience as well as anecdotes from his many clients over the last two decades‎,‎ he goes beyond the physical‎-centered view of aging to present a new‎,‎ holistic paradigm that embraces the soul‎-enriching opportunities of fifty and beyond‎.‎ The Wonder of Aging divides the second half of life into three stages‎:‎ the Age of Transformation‎,‎ from our late forties to around sixty‎;‎ the Age of Distinction‎,‎ from sixty to seventy‎-five‎;‎ and the Age of Completion‎,‎ which involves the final stage of our journey‎.‎ Discussing topics such as sex‎,‎ how men and women age differently‎,‎ the effects of aging on the brain‎,‎ grandparenting‎,‎ living with purpose‎,‎ and what to expect in your last chapter‎,‎ Gurian also provides meditations and exercises to help you design your present and future‎.‎ Written with Gurian s courageously optimistic outlook on life‎,‎ The Wonder of Aging is a comprehensive and comforting road map of what to expect in the second half of your life and how to celebrate it‎.‎ The elder years can be a journey into something richer and deeper‎,‎ full of hope and meaning rather than a sense of fate‎,‎ and this book gives you the tools to revel in them to the fullest‎.‎"