Jimmy Carter was in his fifties when he retired from the Presidency, he had many productive years left. How did Jimmy Carter plan to live out his retirement? What are his reflections on the Virtues of Aging?
Who exactly is old? How can you find meaning in retirement?
How do you stay healthy and active in retirement?
YouTube video for this reflection: https://youtu.be/JozGKCnUyaI
SUMMARIZING THE LIFE OF JIMMY CARTER
Jimmy Carter was an unlikely President, he was not expected to win the Presidential race in 1976, but he was a highly effective campaigner. Jimmy Carter was an evangelical Christian from Plains, Georgia, where he grew up on a small family farm with a neighborhood general store. After graduating from the local high school and attending a community college, he was accepted into the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He lived through many transitions: as a boy he had helped his father plow their fields with teams of horses and mules, but as a young submariner, he was selected to train for a leadership position on a nuclear submarine. Jimmy Carter also lived in the transition from a segregationist Jim Crow culture to a society more open to Civil Rights initiatives granting greater equality and opportunity to the many blacks in northern rural Georgia.
Jimmy Carter’s Youth and Navy Years: From Plowing With Mules to Nuclear Submarines
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/jimmy-carters-youth-and-navy-years-from-plowing-with-mules-to-nuclear-submarines/
https://youtu.be/em5snF_iKkE
Jimmy Carter, in his race for the Presidency, benefitted from the public loss in confidence in politicians after President Richard Nixon’s resignation when he was facing impeachment in the Watergate scandal. Who could be trusted more than Jimmy Carter, the small-town Baptist Sunday School teacher?
As a one-term President, he experienced many successes and faced many challenges, including a challenging economy and the lengthy Iran hostage crisis that eventually cost him his reelection. Carter streamlined many governmental agencies and led several deregulation efforts, deregulating the railroads and airlines. And during his term, Castro allowed many citizens to escape via the Mariel boat lift, which inspired the Scarface movie, starring Robert De Niro.
Jimmy Carter had many foreign policy successes and peace initiatives during his Presidency. He concluded the Panama Canal Treaty, which several Presidents before him knew was inevitable, but they delayed the negotiations, knowing how unpopular it would be for many Americans. Although the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan worsened relations at the end of his Presidency, he had negotiated the SALT II nuclear arms limitation treaty at the beginning of his administration. Jimmy Carter’s main foreign policy accomplishment was the Camp David Peace Talks between the Israeli leader Menachem Begin and the Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat.
Jimmy Carter: Presidency, then Carter Center, Diplomacy and Charity
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/jimmy-carter-his-presidency-and-founding-the-carter-center/
https://youtu.be/sN3MQevsDa4
Included in his daily devotions were many fascinating stories of his interactions with foreign leaders.
Jimmy Carter: Autobiographical, Historical, and Humorous Reflections From His Daily Devotions
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/jimmy-carter-autobiographical-historical-and-humorous-reflections-from-his-daily-devotions/
https://youtu.be/C2LPpDU7udY
JIMMY CARTER IN EARLY RETIREMENT
Jimmy Carter’s humorous subhead for the first chapter quips: “Experience is what you’ve got plenty of when you’re no longer able to hold the job.”
Jimmy Carter opens his book on the Virtues of Aging recalling: “I was just fifty-six years old when I was involuntarily retired from my position in the White House. What made losing the job even worse was that it was a highly publicized event, with maybe half the people in the world knowing about my embarrassing defeat!”
Jimmy Carter realized that, as ex-President, he still had considerable prestige that could be wielded for good. He had always been active in Habitat for Humanity, and as President he and Rosalyn had initiated many health, education, peace, and anti-poverty initiatives to better the lives of ordinary people, so why not continue these efforts? So, attached to his planned Presidential Library in Atlanta would be the offices of his non-profit Carter Center, initiating and continuing these many initiatives.
He had some immediate financial challenges. In their retirement, both Jimmy and Rosalyn discovered they could earn healthy royalties from publishing books about their experiences, opinions, and future projects.[1] One of these books is on the Virtues of Aging. Jimmy is not a Cicero, but we will listen to him on his front porch while he provides prescient advice.
JIMMY CARTER ASKS: WHO EXACTLY IS OLD?
Who do we consider to be old? Jimmy Carter recollects: “In general, our own age determines who we consider to be an old person. When I was in the navy and serving on my first ships, I assumed that officers and men who were retiring after twenty years of service were old, and that those who held on for a maximum of thirty years were almost too set in their ways to deal with the changing realities of modern navy life.”
Jimmy Carter comments that “Bismarck was age seventy-four when he first set the retirement age at seventy in Germany in 1889, when the average life expectancy was about forty-five.” He recounts how many more people are able to retire with the passage of the Social Security Act under FDR in the Depression. “When my father was born, in 1894, more than 75 percent of sixty-five-year-old men continued to work. Even when I resigned from the Navy, in 1953, about half the able-bodied men of that age were still working Just forty-five years later the proportion of sixty-five-year-olds still working has dropped to only 17 percent and is now holding steady.”[2] “Americans over sixty-five years of age not outnumber teenagers, and most of us are well and able to lead full and vigorous lives.”[3]
Jimmy Carter wrote this book when 1998, over twenty-five years ago! Now in 2024, we have two men running for President who will both be octogenarians during that term of office. Both sides criticize the other for being old and slow and feeble, but admittedly they are both quite sharp for their age.
JIMMY CARTER ON SUCCESS IN RETIREMENT
Jimmy Carter quotes a recent USA Today poll on what success means to Americans:
- “Satisfaction with life.
- Being in control.
- Good marriage.
- Being good at one’s job.
- Ability to afford important things.
- Successful Children.”[4]
Admittedly, when you are retired, you lose the ability to plan for some of these things, but you still control what you do with your remaining time on earth.
Jimmy Carter says that psychologists list these steps for success, which for retirement means successfully managing your time so you can continue to contribute to society:
- “Conceive our important goals.
- Focus on things we can control.
- Fix one problem at a time.
- Divide long-term goals into manageable parts.
- Being satisfied with small steps.”
Jimmy Carter has sage observations: “Our legitimate human ambitions often cause us the anger, envy, suffering, pain, frustration, and sense of inadequacy that deprive us of inner peace and joy.”
Then he offers encouragement that is especially helpful for those who retire: “It is a sign of maturity when we can accept honestly and courageously that frustrated dreams, illness, disability, and eventual death are all normal facets of a person’s existence, and that despite these, we can still continue to learn, grow, and adopt challenging goals.”[5]
Retirement can be especially challenging for those who face their retirement years alone, either because they are widows or widowers, or are divorced. It was sad to hear sweet woman in my divorce support meetings who mourned that they would not live out their happy retirement years with their husband who left them for one reason or another. Often men find they are estranged from at least some of their children although they had attempted to keep their marriage together.
Jimmy Carter does not offer much encouragement here, since he was fortunate to be married to his first wife whom he married when they were young. When I was a facilitator for my divorce support group, I simply observed that their relationships with their ex-spouse and children will either improve or decline, and that reconciliation usually means that everyone is slightly less angry and slightly more caring today than they were yesterday. Never give up, and keep reaching out for as long as you live.
Jimmy Carter recommends volunteering for the National Senior Service Corps. You can volunteer to work as “foster grandparents,” “help older neighbors with bills, shopping, and local transportation, as well as provide care for those suffering from strokes, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.”[6]
Recently, I joined a local Rotary Club. Although most members are over forty, they welcome members of any age. Rotary is primarily a service organization, contributing to and assisting national and local charities. The dues vary from club to club, and you can visit a number of local clubs to find one you like.
The Rotary Four Way Test is appealing to me:
ROTARY FOUR WAY TEST:
Of the things we think, say, or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”[7]
History and Philosophy of Rotary International, and My Personal Experience
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/history-and-philosophy-of-rotary-international-and-my-personal-experience/
https://youtu.be/gN6tb3YawI0
My cause is publicizing and assisting the Alzheimer’s Association, based on my experience as a condominium officer that has had to deal with elderly residents suffering from dementia. Our YouTube Channel has a playlist for Psychology, Including Dementia.
How I Halted a Foreclosure on a Destitute Owner with Advanced Dementia! We Discuss Dementia
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/how-i-halted-foreclosure-on-owner-with-advanced-dementia-reflecting-on-dementia/
https://youtu.be/_uAJPCCRNQ8
How Do We Treat our Neighbors Who Suffer From Dementia? Guidance for Over-55 Condos
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/how-do-we-treat-our-neighbors-who-suffer-from-dementia-also-guidance-for-over-55-condos/
https://youtu.be/zwQK3VgaNOo
How Do We Treat our Neighbors Who Suffer From Dementia? Guidance for Over-55 Condos
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/how-do-we-treat-our-neighbors-who-suffer-from-dementia-also-guidance-for-over-55-condos/
https://youtu.be/zwQK3VgaNOo
Problems Family Caretakers Face When Caring for Loved Ones Suffering From Dementia
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/problems-family-caretakers-face-when-caring-for-loved-ones-suffering-from-dementia/
https://youtu.be/VqR7y0Z8bYk
Some, including Jimmy Carter, would argue that having an active social life is a fourth magical factor to further your health. So, Jimmy Carter reminds you to be sure to kiss them each morning and keep them happy.
But if you are single, or regardless of your relationship status, if you want more friends and you are over fifty-five, there is a new online site called Stitch that basically lets you to attend and organize activities to widen your social circle.
THREE (or FOUR) MAGICAL CURES FOR AGING
Everyone who wants to live a long and healthy life needs to know the three magic cures for most everything that ails you: Proper diet, exercise, and proper sleep. We discussed the DASH diet, which is similar to the Mediterranean diet, in a prior reflection.
How much exercise? If you are a couch potato, more than you are exercising now. How can exercise help improve your brain and your memory? Your brain consumes much of the oxygen you breathe in, and when you exercise, your brain gets more oxygen, promoting better brain health. The elderly need more sleep than they did when they were younger.
St John Climacus on Gluttony and Fasting, Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 14, and Eating for Health: DASH diet
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/eating-for-health-dash-diet-st-john-climacus-on-gluttony-and-fasting-in-ladder-of-divine-ascent/
https://youtu.be/KM0eMjE1fXc
Jimmy Carter advises us to be active, he quotes a study that states that “half of those over seventy-five are couch potatoes, and only a fifth exercise regularly.” “Moderate exercise can dramatically improve our lung capacity, bone strength, and mental sharpness.” His best advice is to “use recreation to preserve health rather than to use medicine and treatments to regain health.”
The Carter Center sponsored a health conference called Closing the Gap, their advice for better health is:
- “Do not smoke.
- Maintaining recommended body weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Minimize consumption of foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, sugar, and salt.
- Do not drink excessively, and never drive while drinking.
- Fasten seat belts.
- Remove handguns from the home.
- Have regular medical checkups, including blood-pressure tests.”[8]
Jimmy and Rosalyn kept in shape during their elder years. In his seventies, Jimmy was running three miles a day rather than the seven miles when he was President, or he would bike ten to fifteen miles. He bragged that he and Rosalyn climbed over a thousand feet above the Mount Everest base camp, and he also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. He and Rosalyn also skied and played tennis.[9]
Perhaps this is the best advice Jimmy Carter offers us:
“As anyone who visits a nursing home could deduce, the average older person now watches television forty-three hours each week.”[10]
CONCLUSION
Jimmy Carter says: “Confucius emphasized contemplation, self-revelation, and good living in every stage of existence, with self-discipline and beneficence to others as common aims. He taught that in youth we must guard against lust; in middle age we must guard against strife, avoiding aggressive acts to reach personal goals; and in old age we must guard against avarice, avoiding clinging to what we have, including life itself.”[11]
Jimmy Carter puzzled about this verse from Ecclesiastes: “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the cloud will not reap.”
What was Solomon trying to tell us? He explained to his Sunday School class:
“Don’t be too cautious; take a chance! If you wait for perfect conditions, you may end up living a timid and diminished life. The prospect of failure always exists, and it is painful and often embarrassing when we do fail. But it is better to fail while striving for something adventurous and uncertain than to say, ‘I won’t try, because I may not succeed completely.’”[12]
Jimmy Carter adds: “Our primary purpose in our golden years is not just to stay alive as long as we can, but to savor every opportunity for pleasure, excitement, adventure, and fulfillment.”[13]
Plus, we have summaries of Inspirational Daily Devotions from Jimmy Carter.
Jimmy Carter Inspirational Daily Devotions: Bible Stories, Reflections on Historical Events
https://seekingvirtueandwisdom.com/jimmy-carter-inspirational-daily-devotions-bible-stories-reflections-on-historical-events/
https://youtu.be/b24kTvwmuU0
DISCUSSING THE SOURCES
Jimmy Carter’s Virtues of Aging is a short and inspirational read, we left out how he was inspired by his old Navy boss, Admiral Rickover, and several family members and acquaintances, including staff from the Carter Center.
[1] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 1, Kicked Out, Broke, but Fighting Back, pp. 1-7.
[2] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 2, Fear of Aging: But What is Old?, pp. 9-10.
[3] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 3, How Times Have Changed, p. 19.
[4] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 14, A Successful Life, p. 121.
[5] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 14, A Successful Life, pp. 121-122.
[6] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 12, Seniors Can Do Great Things for Others, p. 106.
[7] https://my.rotary.org/en/guiding-principles
[8] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 7, Good Health for the Elderly, p. 55-63.
[9] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 8, Seventy, Going on Eighty, p. 69-77.
[10] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 6, Planning for Retirement Years, p. 53.
[11] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 14, A Successful Life, p. 124.
[12] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 10, What Is Successful Aging, pp. 92-93.
[13] Jimmy Carter, Virtues of Aging, Chapter 5, Family Accommodations We Have Made, pp. 39-40.
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