This blog was inevitable right? A wise cracking “clever” employee in a multinational company borrowed this term from a ’90’s children’s show to disparage senior staff. Frankly I don’t have the energy to get all affronted by the insult, but I can share my thoughts. Having “advanced” through the seemingly way- too -early invitation to “senior-hood”: the AARP card at 50, the movie discount at 60, the medicare and social security process at 65, I must tell you – I am not a fan of name calling. I thought Baby boomers just sounded fat, now Dinobabies comes to replace in a cute if still disparaging way.

Of course we try to cheat the process. Work out like crazy people, take supplements, get plastic surgery and injections, stay active with friends, all to “living our best life” regardless of age. Super seniors just nod knowingly at us and are way past the delusion.

So what are we to make of this concept of being considered dinosaurs by the younger generations? I say we smile and take it in stride. Frankly I can’t keep up with every offense anymore anyway, can you? There are actually some positives to this senior stuff, other than the supposed discounts. You now have the opportunity to be a mentor instead of searching for one. You are mature and savvy enough to know that even with cancer, you are having a life experience and avoid piling on the drama. You love long and deeply, and try to protect others from your own fear or pain. You often still get to be surprised and not jaded.

In 1645 Japanese self taught Samurai Musashi penned “The Book of Five Rings”, a military manual that applied Zen principles to martial arts. Life lessons mature in the depth of our psyche and I like this example which can apply today: “Understand the harm and the benefit in everything”; “Learn to see everything accurately”; “Become aware of what is obvious”; “Be careful in small matters”; “Do not do anything useless”. The Samurai warns us that even “If superficially weakhearted, be inwardly stronghearted.” It often takes time and age to acquire this power and awareness. We do not, however, have to wield two swords to engage.

If you have reached a certain age, celebrate and be proud to have a half century of greatness lifting you up. In cancer treatment, when young practitioners ask my opinion, it is often to draw on a wide experience that employs judgement, compassion, vision as well as expertise. What joy I find in those discussions. With patients, they never care about the minutia of the therapy. They want to know that you will care for and about them- that’s what matters.

You also have so many valuable experiences to share. Draw on your fantastic power and knowledge. Don’t wait to be asked, just act. Seniors are often taken for granted and misunderstood, but our collective wisdom is so valuable. You can keep sharing with a quiet confidence. If cancer has been part of your own journey, others are eager for your detailed insights.

So call me whatever you wish. I will celebrate everyday with you. We will continue to explore more of the unknown, but with knowing and enthusiasm. We can finally leave the driven and overwhelmed behind. We can celebrate the doing and being even when we are challenged. Dinobabies may sound cute, but have no doubt, they are truly stronghearted.