Geronature: a blog about gerontology + nature!

The term gerontology (from the Greek γέρων, geron, "old man" and -λογία, -logy; from PIE root gere- "to become ripe, grow old") was coined by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Ilya Mechnikov (1845-1916), who memorably stated “We must continue living, not age-ing.” (http://www.day.kiev.ua/137971)  Gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.

 

The term nature, originated in the late 13^th century, has meaning associated with "restorative powers of the body, bodily processes; powers of growth"; from Old French nature "nature, being, principle of life; character, essence"; from Latin natura "course of things; natural character, constitution, quality; the universe," lit. "birth," from natus "born," pp. of nasci "to be born," from PIE gene- "to give birth, beget" (see genus). (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=nature)

Aging is part of nature, a process that we all experience from birth and we grow better with age when we live in harmony with nature . . .

The value and diversity of our aging experience encompass a yin-yang spectrum:  dependence-independence, leisure-work, spiritual-physical, quiet-loud, inward-outward, soft-hard, etc.   

Dahlia is the official flower of San Francisco (http://sfdahlias.org/aboutdsc/official_flower.htm).  Here’s the blooming Dahlia Dell in Golden Gate Park.  You can see the plant life cycle from leaf to bud to flower to fruit which releases seed for the cycle to continue.  Like plants, we need SWAN (Sunlight + Water + Air + Nutrients) to thrive.