If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a wine publicist, it’s knowing where to draw the line. And, I had regrettably to do just that recently with an offer made by Tom Pinkson, Ph.D.

Just for background of who Dr. Tom Pinkson is, from Tom’s Website:

For over 45 years I have traveled the globe from the Amazon to the Yukon, from Polynesia to South East Asia, throughout the United States and Europe studying indigenous wisdom ways, including completion of a 11 year apprenticeship with Huichol shamans of Mexico, while earning 3 degrees and keeping up with the latest findings of western psychology, wellness practices, brain science and quantum physics which I use to help people wake up, remember and live from the truth of who and what we are and why we are here.

I have worked with thousands of people around the world helping them find and live this truth in their daily lives

For me… It all began at a celebratory birthday party for my wine writing friend Sondra Barrett. Also a Ph.D., Sondra has commingled her passions as a biochemist and photographer with her passion for wine. I’ve helped Sondra, by asking Jose to build a website for her, something that would benefit her talents and achievements. And, I’ve included her in things that Jose and I do, like wine tasting events and my stories to boost visibility for her. Jose’s helped with marketing concepts and how she can keep up her own Website, once it was launched for her. It’s just what friends do.

She’s mentioned me to her friends, and at the party for Sandra, Tom Pinkson approached me. He’s just published his new book Fruitful Aging, and wanted to know if I could also help him.

In my wine publicist career, I’ve had wine clients who were connected to the wine industry by products other than wine, but related to wine, which wine consumers would find very useful. I’ve hopefully taken them on, but then I find myself as at a loos for how to really help them. Great people, all, so it’s been heartbreaking for me, because I’m astute enough to know that I’m really not their best resource. Each time I’ve tried, I feel like I’m not properly equipped. It’s like a brain surgeon having a hand at podiatry. The resources to help just aren’t the same, the people who would help are not in my database, I don’t have the relationships built to make the “surgery” run smoothly, nor do I have the right operating room. It’s always frustrated me, regardless of the fact that my clients have still put their trust and faith in me. After a few months of struggling to expedite their stories, I have invariably had to tell them that I need to stop trying, because in their “department” I’m inept. It’s very hard to do, but I have to.

At this point, I’m better off telling a potential client, which I must respectfully decline to be their publicist,  “I’d rather turn you down than to let you down.” And so, once again, I found myself saying this to Tom, when he asked for my help. I also have enough respect for someone who feels that he or she can trust me, that I’m at least happy to write a blog story about – as in this case – Tom Pinkson’s book called, Fruitful Again, Finding The Gold In The Golden Year.

It’s a very spiritual book and since wine is a spirit… It works for this wine blog, in my humble opinion, especially for my spiritual friends, of which I have plenty.

Tom begins, “A silver tsunami of increasing longevity is sweeping across our nation. Over the next several decades, the number of Americans over age 60 will increase by nearly 70 percent, the largest increase for any age group in the population… Will it be positive? Fulfilling? Meaningful?”

I have a sister who has devoted her life to nursing. She is an R.N., a chef who graduated from New York Restaurant School, holds two certifications in nutrition (Applied Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Clinical in Whole Food Nutrition), and is a certified Gut and Psychology Syndrome professional. She’s helped many people to exit this world both stage right and stage left. What she’s always said to me is that people who know how to live, also know how to die. Those who haven’t taken the time to live go out kicking and screaming. the rest, like my Aunt Edith, go out literally singing joyfully.

This is what Tom’s book is all about: giving people the emotional tools to begin living now, so that there will be no regrets, by presenting a panoply of examples for what’s important as we prepare to exit stage right. Tom makes certain that we know, as elders, this is time that has the potential to be our best years yet, as we continue to define our worthiness, repair what’s yet to be mended, and provides exercises to that end.

I was swept away by his book, and all I could think of is, this man needs to be on Oprah, had I only the resources to get him there. He’s got that kind of charisma, that kind of intriguing background that an interviewer and audience would not only find him enjoyable to listen to for his life’s adventures, but also his profound messages will inspire us to let go of any fears, and become the fearless adventurers that we’ve always wanted to be… if we’ve not dared to just throw ourselves into life already. For those of us who have, it’s just a reminder that we’ve always been on the right track. It occurs to me that Tom has never been that fearful, so he’s a perfect candidate to lead those into their own adventures. This book is the quintessential guide.

Like fine wine, Fruitful Aging happens with great care from the mind of an artisan. It’s no accident and it’s not a commodity product. It’s the combination of great skill and a lot of intuition…

Grab a great glass of wine – perhaps some bubbles, as sparkling wine is now said to stave off some of the aging process, and get real with the time you’ve been given to make the most of your life. I highly recommend this book for the serious about living souls among us… Not just the aging. The quality of each day could be our last; why not make the best of each minute? Tom Pinkson’s Fruitful Aging will bring you great comfort.