“How you age is not a problem to be solved but a spiritual choice.”
Spiritual Aging launched here at Substack with a mission: to gather an advanced party of old souls into a vibrant online community. I am here to share good news. We are succeeding. We are rapidly approaching 2000 free subscribers. And with a committed vanguard who have pledged to become full members, we are on track for our January launch of the Spiritual Aging Study and Support Group (SASS) on Substack. Our goal by launch day is 100 paid members so every pledge is cause for celebration.
Why Join? Our Pledged Members Say It Best:
“I love belonging to a tribe of kindred spirits who are willing to explore aging as an important and precious aspect of living.” Charlotte Allen, UK
“I am enjoying my elderhood and my spiritual journey. I want to share my wisdom and commune on a regular basis with other wise ones…” Craig S.
Even So…
I know from your comments how grateful you are to have the opportunity to connect into a community of like-minded peers. Nevertheless, some of you are probably wondering why after so many years of free blogs from me would you want to pledge $10/month? This is a good question since all subscribers, paid or not, will continue to receive my monthly blog as well as book excerpts and updates.
HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE REASONS TO PLEDGE
ONE: Joining Unlocks Exclusive Offerings
Only paid members will receive the Spiritual Aging Study Guide that will be published here at Substack exclusively on a weekly basis starting the first week of January. The subject matter is deep and wide-ranging, from cultivating freedom, finding joy in unexpected circumstances, navigating changing relationships and more. The study guides are based on my new book Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life which is being published December 10 by Inner Traditions, the leading publisher in the field of conscious aging and available for pre-order now.
Joining Elevates and Deepens Your Connection to Equally Committed Members. Starting in January, the chat function will be available to full members only. Members will be invited to discuss each week’s Study Guide with one another online at your convenience 24/7. There will also be space to ask one another for wisdom and strength on pressing issues of interest or concern related to aging.
Please note: this will be my own personal SASS group and I will be joining both as Carol Orsborn and also when an issue warrants discretion I will switch to an anonymous name so that I can participate fully. Substack makes it easy to do.
TWO: Lock in the Lowest Membership Rate That Will Ever Be Offered
In January, the annual fee for newcomers to join will go up 25%. Pledge now and you won’t be charged anything until we launch in January. This discounted rate will be locked in for you forever. There is no risk as if you change your mind, you can cancel anytime between now and then.
FOUR: Pledge and You Become Part of Something Larger Than Yourself
Grassroots SASS groups are popping up around the world—both in-person and online—based on previews of the book and study guides. Partners who will be offering SASS groups include Sage-ing International, the leading organization in the conscious aging field and Spirit of Sophia, who will be hosting a women’s only online group. In addition, many individuals have already begun forming their own in-person or online groups and proposing the idea to their book clubs, senior centers and religious affiliations. For a sample study guide and how to start a SASS, click HERE.
FIVE: Pledging Shows Your Support for This Work and Your Commitment to Your Own Spiritual Aging
For which you have my deepest gratitude and respect.
If You Need More Reasons, Here are Three
1. Jann Freed, pledged member
I want to support Carol’s work because it is timely, accurate, relevant, and I love how she will use a little humor which is important as we grow in life experience. I want to learn as much as possible about Spiritual Aging and as soon as possible! JannFreed.com
-- Contributor to Forbes.com writing about the nonfinancial aspects of retirement.
2. Ruth Mcquirter, pledged member
I have benefited so much from Carol’s writing, her honest and penetrating insights, and the community she has fostered who care about making this phase of their lives meaningful. So often a phrase from one of Carol’s blog posts or a shared comment from a member of the online support group have popped into my mind as I navigate the joys and challenges of being in my seventies.
-- Professor at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
3. Judith Wolf-Mandell, pledged member
Aging can be difficult. Aging while living with chronic, debilitating pain is ultra-difficult. But Carol’s candor and enthusiasm for this part of our lives—afflicted or not-- helps me keep going. I’ve had a long career as a writer—in television production, politics, journalism, public relations and book author and I’m enthralled with Carol’s energies and brilliance as a writer. How does she do it, I wonder.? I don’t know: I’m just enriched that she does.
--Recent Author of www.sammysbrokenleg.com, Nashville, Tennessee
A special note to our pioneering pledge members. Forgive me for not having the space to introduce each one of you here. Come January, we will start the process of getting to know one another and settle in for an amazing year of reflection and community
Fiercely Yours,
Carol Orsborn
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Spiritual Aging is situated at the intersection of spirituality, psychology and conscious aging, supported by Carol Orsborn’s 36 books, 30 years leading retreats for global organizations like Sage-ing International and her doctorate in religion specializing in adult and spiritual development from Vanderbilt University. For more about Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. and her body of work, visit CarolOrsborn.com.