“Encore career” and “bonus years” are two new phrases you may be hearing soon, if not already. They’re part of the vocabulary of a movement called “positive aging.” And positive aging is a guiding principle in Baby Boomer Marion McCollum’s life.

To Marion the movement goes deeper than just coining words. As a psychotherapist and daughter of a remarkable 91-year-old gardening father, Marion sees aging as a spiritual journey and an invigorating opportunity to do what you really want to do for a change. And that doesn’t have to involve luxury cruises and expensive golf resorts. For Marion it springs simply from learning and discovery.

“Boomers will be lifelong learners,” says Marion and this well-documented finding stimulated Marion’s decision to develop a continuing education course titled, “Positive Aging for Boomers” offered through the UNCG CALL program. [For more info: marionmccollum@traid.rr.com, or contact Carolina Psycholgical Associates 272-0855.]

“We want it to be an adventure in learning and address the spiritual aspects of aging and reflect on what we call ‘the third age’ and reflect on ‘what really DOES matter to me.’”

This is intended to lead Boomer students to consider “encore careers” that perhaps are more meaningful than earlier obligatory jobs. Marion refers to “the bonus years” as an opportunity to develop ourselves and enhance the world we live in while taking advantage of national trends toward longer lifespans and improved health in aging.

Marion’s new course is the culmination of several decades as a psychotherapist and counselor for Seniors, Boomers families and children at Greensboro Day School.

“Mental, spiritual, emotional…I’ve always been interested in all aspects of wellness,” says Marion. “There is a lot of research on how positive attitude influences your health status in later years. Anticipating living longer and healthier may very well be a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

And there’s a practical fact: a lot of Boomers are going to keep working instead of retiring, as is the case with Marion. So why not find something meaningful or, even, fun?

A high school class of 1966 graduate from Lynchburg, Virginia, Marion earned her undergraduate degree from Agnes Scott College and a masters from Boston College. She studied in France and later received a PhD from Indiana University. The Vietnam War and cultural events of the 1960s contributed to Marion’s introspective and outreaching sensibility, but she also points to an older generation for inspiration.

“Baby Boomers are definitely more self-indulgent than our parents,” says Marion who counsels members of all generations. On the other hand, “’The Greatest Generation’ (World War II generation) is still very much into sacrifice.” And the most influential member of that generation to Marion is her 91-year-old father. “He used to be an avid hiker who walked the Appalachian Trail at 60 and only gave that up two years ago. Currently, he grows tomatoes for his entire retirement community!” She also points to public figures like Jimmy Carter—an author, diplomat, furniture-maker—as excellent examples of positive aging and continual personal growth.

Dr. McCollum, herself a hiker, came to Greensboro in 1984. When newcomers to Guilford County ask her advice on finding solitude, relaxation and exercise, Marion is quick to direct them to what she considers a local best-kept secret: the watershed trails and parks.