Biography: A Complete Life of Linda Johnson - Essay Example

Biography: A Complete Life of Linda Johnson This essay provides biographical information based on the life of Linda Johnson. The project is based on information regarding personal data, educational accomplishments, membership in professional agencies, professional and career choices. Further, the project highlights areas such those helped or served, what she will be remembered for. The last parts of the essay are about the form of life lived in senior years and the reasons for living a healthy until 100 years old. The level of activity, length of working years and circumstances of death are also part of the biography. Linda Johnson was born in Chicago where she spent most of her childhood years with her parents but moved to South Carolina at seventeen. Linda Johnson is married with three kids and a supportive husband. Linda Johnson’s educational and schooling background has been informed by a quest to serve humanity in various capacities. This is the reason she earned her Associates degree in human service. Having an educational background in areas that involves psychology, cultural sensitivity, interviewing skills and legal and ethical awareness was therefore some of the areas she wanted to gain more knowledge. After completing her studies in human service, Linda Jonson undertook to add her knowledge and experience by enrolling for a bachelor’s degree in human service gerontology. The improve knowledge and skills were crucial in her professional growth that now leaned towards offering her services to the senior members of the community. Senior members of the society still have a lot to look forward to and therefore require special care to ensure they maintain personal relationship with their family and friends. Based on her career path, Linda Johnson joined the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board in order to gain the necessary approval to practice in the field. After high school, Linda Johnson entered military service where she got the chance to serve in different capacities. It is after retirement that she decided to take the opportunity to offer services to others in society. A career in human services provided the best professional background for Linda Johnson to practice in this area. While completing her studies in human services, she worked as a real-estate broker. Given the nature of her profession life, Linda Johnson has been able to serve society in different capacities. Firstly, while in the military, Linda Johnson had the chance to serve her country in a time. She was proud to serve in the military as it presented an opportunity to do something for her nation. This was important for her sense of identity even as she was entering her adult years as she had already determined her role in life, which prevented role confusion from setting in (Arnett, 2000). This was the best way according to her that she could display her love for the nation. Apart from serving her nation, Linda Johnson also got an opportunity to serve individuals with different needs in society. This was achieved through displaying dedication in her work in human services. Having gone back to school and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human service gerontology, helped the senior members of society live comfortably in later stages of their lives. Linda Johnson has always been aware that people are not in most cases remembered based on the wealth or her physically appearance, it is what she did to improve the situation of the people in her society that matters. Consequently, she was always aware that when her life comes to an end it is her servitude that would account for whether she is remembered, for how long and what she will be remembered for. Linda Johnson will therefore be remembered for her selfless service in every area she had an opportunity to serve during her illustrious life. In military service, she will be remembered for being ready to place the welfare of the nation, army and those of the people she worked with before her own. This is attitude towards life and that one interacts with acquired from military service was transferred to all Linda Johnson did in her later life. She believed lived in offering her best in every position she served be it in her work as a real estate broker or her professional roles in human services. While money is necessary for comfort in life, this was never the primary motivation in her career and professional life, but establishing a sense of purpose as the reason for existence in the world was an important guide in all activities Linda Johnson undertook. Therefore, being remembered for her kind acts was at the center of her deeds while swerving humanity. Having spent most parts of her life serving humanity, Linda Johnson decided the later years of her life should be about her and those closest to her. Consequently, Linda and her husband decided to sell their home and spent some time travelling and enjoying the world. To make it easy to travel in the US, buying an RV proved an important decision while it could also be packed at several locations during an international trip. Spending time with her eight grandchildren also formed an important part of her activities during this time. For Linda Johnson, remaining healthy until 100 years old demands for establishment of a life purpose. Linda Johnson always knew she wanted to have a career that involves serving others in society. Life purpose acted as a reason to live and look forward to the next day while increasing time spent with and caring for the family is an important contributor to living long. Being close to the family and people who love you ensures one retains an active lifestyle due to increased physical activities and exposure to the sun. This was achieved through increased time spent with the grandchildren as they proved to be lively companions. Linda Johnson believes those who have retired from active service should not let others take care of them especially when they still physically able to perform light tasks (Baltes and Smith, 2003). This is based on the Theory of the Third Age, which opposes the view that human beings go through three stages by adding a fourth and therefore disapproves the notion that the third age is characterized by health complication and death. The Theory of the Third Age asserts that by the third age, individuals still have the capacity to enjoy their lives as they still have a relatively good health and affluence. Based on this theory, the ageing population still wants to maintain their teeth since they still want to take part in some of their past activities such as social interactions and enjoyment of leisure, which means many, will require preventive oral health care that will help them maintain high standards and hygiene in oral health (Baltes and Smith, 2003). This attitude towards old age enabled Linda Johnson to work with other senior citizens until she was in her late sixties when she began travelling. Towards the end of her life, she chose to reduce the level of her activities and live close to her children and grandchildren. Therefore, her death came with her family being there to help her cope with the complications that came with failing body systems. Therefore, Linda Johnson enjoyed a positive disengagement period as she let her family members take care of her in her later years. Disengagement Theory claims that the aged should be prepared for their retirement by being allowed to gradually reduce their level of participation in their previous functions. Based on this perspective the aged do not have a lot to offer to the society, but should be taken care of by the younger generations who assume the duties previously played by the aged. Further, the theory claims the aged should be psychologically prepared to face the changes that are inevitable in their life as they progress through the years. Consequently, the aged are seen as people with no income generating activities with some of them living in old people’s homes and residential care setup. Based on the interpretation of the structured dependency theory of ageing, members of the family and other concerned individuals should ensure the aged can access the necessary oral health attention whether for preventive or curative purposes (Sneed and Whitbourne, 2005). The life of Linda Johnson indicates the importance of choosing a career and professional life based on the interests one develops from childhood. Serving humanity is also an important area in creating a satisfactory life as it gives one a purpose that directs life. Maintaining an active life even during the later years is also important in ensuring a happy and long life. References Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American psychologist, 55(5), 469. Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2003). New frontiers in the future of aging: From successful aging of the young old to the dilemmas of the fourth age. Gerontology, 49(2), 123-135. Sneed, J. R., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2005). Models of the aging self. Journal of Social Issues, 61(2), 375-388. Read More