In this episode of Sixty Plus Uncensored, host Seb Frey welcomes Adora Deva for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to keep growing throughout life. A lifelong student of spirituality, healer, minister, bodyworker, and caregiver, Adora shares how curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to keep learning have shaped her life well into her later years. Their discussion moves through topics including spirituality, caregiving, light therapy, travel, forgiveness, and healthy aging, offering a refreshing perspective on how life after 60 can continue to expand rather than contract.
Growth Doesn’t Have an Expiration Date
When people think about personal development, they often imagine college students, young professionals, or people starting new careers. Yet growth can continue at every stage of life if we remain open to learning. For Adora, that openness has become a guiding philosophy. Rather than settling into a fixed identity, she continues adding new skills and exploring different ways to serve others. Over the years, she has built a healing practice that combines clinical hypnosis, massage therapy, energy work, Reiki, shamanic practices, and light therapy. More recently, she became an ordained minister and published her first collaborative book.
What stands out is not simply the number of things she has accomplished, but the mindset behind them. She approaches every new opportunity as another chance to learn rather than another item to add to a résumé. While many people assume there comes a point when they are “too old” to begin something new, whether that means learning an instrument, taking college classes, writing a book, or volunteering in a different role, those self-imposed limits often become the greatest barrier.
Adora offers a different perspective. She describes herself as someone who has never really understood boredom because there are always more things she wants to learn than she has time to pursue. Even after becoming a minister, she immediately enrolled in another multi-year practitioner program, joined a choir, and began taking singing lessons to strengthen the music she incorporates into her community dance leadership. Her outlook reflects an important truth about healthy aging: intellectual curiosity keeps life moving forward. Having goals, projects, and interests gives each season of life renewed meaning and reminds us that learning has no expiration date.
A Spiritual Journey That Welcomes Many Paths
One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is Adora’s spiritual journey. Raised without a formal religion, she found herself searching for deeper meaning as a teenager. Rather than accepting one tradition simply because she happened to be born into it, she explored many different faiths and spiritual communities. Eventually, she was drawn to Sufism because of its emphasis on love, compassion, and recognizing the shared humanity in every person. Instead of viewing religions as competing systems, she sees them as different paths that often lead toward the same core values: kindness, compassion, connection, and service.
For many older adults, spirituality becomes increasingly important with age, not necessarily through organized religion, but through asking deeper questions about purpose, relationships, gratitude, forgiveness, and how they want to spend the years ahead. Adora’s story illustrates that spirituality does not have to fit inside a single box. Some people find meaning through church, while others find it through meditation, nature, volunteer work, music, prayer, or quiet reflection. What matters most is developing practices that nurture compassion for ourselves and for others.
She explains that one of the things that attracted her most strongly to Sufism was its focus on leading with the heart. Rather than defining people by their occupation, beliefs, or status, the emphasis is on meeting one another first as fellow human beings. That simple shift creates space for deeper connection and serves as a reminder that relationships often matter far more than labels.
The Quiet Strength of Forgiveness
As the discussion turns toward spiritual practice, forgiveness naturally becomes part of the conversation. Forgiveness is often misunderstood as excusing harmful behavior or pretending painful events never happened, but Adora offers a more balanced perspective. Forgiving someone does not mean forgetting or approving of what happened. Instead, she describes forgiveness as something we do for ourselves. Holding onto resentment, anger, or bitterness often causes us to carry emotional weight long after the original event has passed. Letting go does not erase history, but it can free us from allowing that history to continue controlling our emotional well-being.
She also points out that forgiveness begins with ourselves. Many people carry regrets for decades, replaying mistakes, wondering what they should have done differently, or criticizing themselves for decisions made years earlier. Yet every stage of life brings new understanding. Looking back with today’s wisdom can make yesterday’s decisions seem obvious, but we can only make choices using the knowledge we have at the time. Recognizing that reality allows us to replace harsh self-judgment with greater compassion. This perspective becomes especially meaningful as we age, when emotional peace often contributes just as much to quality of life as physical health.
Learning to let go of resentment and extend compassion to ourselves can become one of the most meaningful parts of healthy aging. Letting Go of Fear and Embracing Change After 60 offers additional guidance on releasing emotional burdens and approaching life’s transitions with greater confidence and peace.
Acceptance Doesn’t Mean Giving Up
Another important lesson that emerges from the conversation is the difference between acceptance and resignation. When difficult things happen, our first instinct is often to label them as either good or bad. We resist circumstances we cannot control, sometimes creating even more suffering in the process. Adora explains that she has gradually shifted her thinking away from judging events and instead asks a much simpler question: “This is what’s happening now.” That small change creates room for acceptance without requiring approval. Acceptance does not mean giving up or pretending challenges do not exist. Rather, it means beginning with reality instead of resistance.
This mindset becomes particularly valuable as we age because change is inevitable. Our bodies change, our health evolves, relationships shift, careers come to an end, and new responsibilities emerge. Fighting every change can become exhausting, while accepting reality allows us to direct our energy toward what we can still influence instead of becoming consumed by what we cannot. Many mindfulness traditions express this principle in different ways, but the underlying message remains remarkably consistent: peace often begins when we stop arguing with reality.
Staying Curious Keeps You Young
One of the most inspiring aspects of Adora’s life is how enthusiastically she continues exploring new experiences. She leads community dances, studies spirituality, performs weddings and memorial ceremonies, travels internationally, teaches healing practices, collaborates on books, continues her formal education, and remains active in community organizations. None of these activities appear to be driven by a desire to stay busy for its own sake. Instead, they reflect a deep sense of curiosity and a genuine love of learning.
Curiosity has an interesting effect on aging. When we stop asking questions, trying new things, or meeting new people, life can gradually become smaller. Curiosity helps reverse that process by introducing fresh ideas, building new friendships, creating purpose, and encouraging adaptability. Research consistently suggests that maintaining intellectual engagement and meaningful social connections supports both emotional well-being and cognitive health as we age. While no single hobby or activity guarantees healthy aging, staying mentally and socially engaged gives the brain ongoing opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow.
Perhaps one of the most encouraging messages from Adora’s story is that reinvention does not always require dramatic life changes. Sometimes it simply means saying yes to the next opportunity to learn. Whether that is joining a community choir, taking a painting class, volunteering at a local nonprofit, learning another language, or finally pursuing a long-held interest, each new experience becomes another reminder that growth remains possible at every age.
Finding Balance as a Caregiver
While much of the conversation focuses on personal growth, it also explores one of the most challenging realities many older adults eventually face: caregiving. Adora’s husband, Scott, is living with Parkinson’s disease and has also undergone cancer treatment, which is now in remission. As his Parkinson’s has progressed, her role as caregiver has naturally expanded. She helps with everyday tasks, prepares meals, coordinates care, and adjusts her own schedule around his changing needs. Like millions of Americans caring for a spouse, parent, sibling, or close friend, Adora understands that while caregiving can be deeply meaningful, it also brings emotional, physical, and mental demands that are easy to underestimate.
One of the most valuable insights she shares is that caring for someone else begins with caring for yourself. She speaks openly about maintaining healthy boundaries and making time for her own well-being. Rather than viewing self-care as selfish, she embraces the idea of becoming “self-full.” It’s a simple phrase, but it captures an important truth: you cannot continuously give from an empty tank. She compares it to the familiar instruction given before every airline flight, put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.
That philosophy shapes many of the choices she makes. When she feels overwhelmed, she allows herself to rest. She swims regularly because it helps her release stress and regain emotional balance. She continues participating in the communities that nourish her and makes time for practices that restore her energy instead of waiting until she is completely exhausted. For caregivers, this message is especially important. Many people feel guilty about stepping away, even briefly, worrying that taking time for themselves means they are neglecting the person they love. In reality, regular periods of rest often make someone a more patient, compassionate, and effective caregiver over the long term.
Caring for someone else is often easier when you understand the full range of support available. Readers may also find What Sixty Plus Families Need to Know About Home Care and Assisted Living helpful for exploring care options while protecting both the caregiver’s and the loved one’s well-being.
Community Makes the Journey Easier
Another recurring theme throughout the conversation is the importance of community. Whether Adora is leading dances, attending spiritual classes, participating in choirs, or connecting with Parkinson’s support groups, she intentionally surrounds herself with people who offer encouragement, learning, and companionship. For her, community is not simply about having people to spend time with. It is also about sharing experiences, learning from others, and contributing her own knowledge. She describes participating in one of the country’s largest Parkinson’s support communities, where specialists regularly present new research and treatment approaches, and she has even been invited to share some of her own expertise with the group.
As we age, social connection becomes increasingly valuable. Retirement often changes daily routines, children may move away, and friends can relocate or pass away. Over time, social circles can become smaller without us even realizing it. Intentional community helps counter that tendency by creating opportunities to build new relationships and maintain meaningful connections. Communities like the ones Adora participates in provide far more than information. They offer reassurance, remind people they are not navigating life’s challenges alone, and create space for encouragement during difficult seasons.
Whether someone finds that sense of belonging through a faith community, volunteer organization, fitness group, book club, hobby class, neighborhood gathering, or support group, meaningful relationships remain one of the strongest foundations for healthy aging. Staying connected enriches not only our emotional well-being but also our sense of purpose, reminding us that every stage of life is easier to navigate when we have others to learn from, support, and grow alongside.
Can Light Therapy Support Healthy Aging?
One topic that occupies a significant portion of the conversation is light therapy, an area Adora has incorporated into her practice for nearly two decades. Her interest began after participating in a wrinkle study that introduced her to the technology. While the cosmetic improvements initially caught her attention, she says the greater surprise was how much better she felt overall. That experience inspired her to study the field more deeply and eventually integrate light therapy into her work with clients.
Throughout the discussion, Adora explains that modern light therapy is believed to work by delivering specific wavelengths of light that interact with the body’s cells, particularly the mitochondria, which produce cellular energy. According to the research she references, these wavelengths may help support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, encourage relaxation, and improve energy production. She also notes that many people report improvements in concerns such as muscle soreness, joint discomfort, stress, and mental clarity following treatment. While research into red and near-infrared light therapy continues to evolve, she points out that interest in the field has grown significantly in recent years, including studies exploring its potential role in neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
Although light therapy has become much more widely available, Adora emphasizes that not every device is created equal. During the conversation, she explains that treatment effectiveness depends on factors such as wavelength, light intensity, and overall device quality. Rather than assuming every product marketed as “light therapy” performs the same, she encourages people to understand the specifications of any device they are considering. For those interested in exploring light therapy, discussing the option with a qualified healthcare professional can help determine whether it is appropriate for their individual health needs.
Travel Can Still Be an Adventure
Another refreshing part of the conversation centers on travel. Many people assume travel after retirement means slower-paced vacations or cruise ships. While there is certainly nothing wrong with those choices, Adora’s experiences remind us that adventure does not have an age limit. She has traveled throughout Europe, walked historic pilgrimage routes, explored Egypt, and continues planning future trips with her husband despite the challenges Parkinson’s disease has brought into their lives.
One particularly memorable experience took place in Egypt, where she participated in private visits to ancient temples and pyramids. Whether or not someone shares her spiritual interpretations of those experiences, what stands out is the sense of wonder she continues to bring to the world. Rather than seeing travel as simply checking destinations off a list, she approaches each journey as an opportunity to learn, explore, and experience something new.
Wonder is something we often associate with children, yet perhaps one of the greatest gifts of aging is realizing we never have to lose it. Trying unfamiliar foods, visiting new places, meeting people from different cultures, learning local history, and standing before ancient landmarks all expand our understanding of the world while reminding us how much there is still to discover. Adora’s story encourages us to remain curious, embrace new experiences, and recognize that the desire for adventure can continue throughout every stage of life.
Adora’s travels illustrate that retirement can be the beginning of new adventures rather than the end of exploration. Readers considering a new chapter may also enjoy Relocating for Retirement? Here’s What You Need to Know, which looks at important factors to consider when planning a move later in life.
Purpose Often Comes Through Service
One of the clearest patterns throughout Adora’s life is that nearly everything she does is centered on helping others. She teaches, listens, counsels, performs ceremonies, comforts grieving families, supports caregivers, and continually studies new techniques to better serve her clients. Her commitment to learning is not driven by personal achievement alone, but by a desire to use that knowledge to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her.
Her story is a reminder that purpose does not always come from accomplishment. More often, it grows out of contribution. Many people worry about losing their sense of purpose after retirement because work has long provided structure and identity. Yet purpose can take many different forms. It can be found in helping a neighbor, mentoring younger generations, volunteering, caring for grandchildren, supporting a spouse, leading community groups, sharing life experience, creating art, or writing stories. Purpose does not disappear when a career ends, it simply has the opportunity to take on a new direction.
Adora’s life illustrates how meaningful service can evolve alongside personal growth. Rather than viewing learning as something she does only for herself, she continually asks how each new skill or experience might benefit others. That orientation toward service gives her countless reasons to keep growing and offers a powerful reminder that a life of curiosity and compassion can remain deeply fulfilling at any age.
Growing Older Can Mean Growing Larger
Perhaps the biggest lesson from this conversation is that aging does not have to become a story of gradual shrinking. Society often assumes that as we grow older, our worlds naturally become smaller, we retire, slow down, let go of ambitions, stop trying new things, and become more cautious. Yet Adora’s life tells a very different story. She continues learning, teaching, traveling, creating, serving, building community, and adapting to life’s changing circumstances while remaining deeply engaged with the world around her.
That does not mean life has become easy. Like many older adults, she faces the very real responsibilities of caregiving and experiences loss, uncertainty, and the physical realities that come with aging. But rather than allowing those challenges to define or limit her, she has woven them into her ongoing journey of growth. Her story reminds us that while aging inevitably brings change, it can also bring deeper wisdom, renewed purpose, and new opportunities to contribute, connect, and continue becoming the person we are meant to be.
One of the biggest themes of Adora’s story is that aging can remain a season of continued growth. Readers who enjoyed this perspective may also appreciate Stanford Just Confirmed What I’ve Been Saying for Years: The Old Rules of Aging Are Officially Broken, which explores how modern research is challenging outdated assumptions about what it means to grow older.
Growing Older Without Growing Smaller
One of the most encouraging messages from this episode is that healthy aging is about much more than preserving youth. It is about continuing to cultivate curiosity, compassion, resilience, and purpose. Not everyone will become a minister, travel to Egypt, or dedicate years to studying healing practices, but everyone can choose to remain open to learning, deepen meaningful relationships, care for their own well-being, and look for opportunities to contribute to the lives of others.
Growth does not stop because we reach a certain birthday. Purpose does not disappear after retirement, and connection does not become less important with age. If anything, these qualities become even more valuable as life unfolds. Whether through spirituality, caregiving, lifelong learning, volunteer work, creative pursuits, or simply making time for meaningful relationships, each of us has opportunities to continue expanding rather than contracting.
Adora’s story is ultimately a reminder that aging is not simply about adding years to life. It is about continuing to add life to those years. By approaching each new season with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to keep growing, we can continue finding meaning, building connections, and embracing the possibilities that every stage of life has to offer.