Stop! Before concluding that the word “failing” rather than “feeling” in this title is a typo; no, it’s a purposeful oxymoron. If you remember the late Congressman John Lewis’ “good trouble” motto, then you’ll get my drift.
Now with that out of the way, let’s move on.
In Part One, we explored the extraordinary career of Dr. Carlos Cortés and, given his background, thought that he’d be the perfect person to speak on pressing issues in today’s world, one rife with unprecedented challenges. Cortés is currently the Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professor of History and co-director of the Health Equity, Social Justice, and Anti-Racism curriculum of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. Regretfully, that’s just a tiny slice of his lengthy curriculum vitae.
Here’s the interview with him I promised in Part One:
Terry: What key principles do you live by?
Carlos: My basic life principle is “When in doubt, say yes.” If an interesting new challenge or opportunity arises, I generally say yes unless there is a compelling reason to say no. If I receive an offer to write an article that is outside of my comfort zone or give a public lecture or webinar on some new topic, I will probably say yes because it offers me a new challenge. It stretches me.
Terry: Where does a guiding principle fit in your diversity work?
Carlos: As a diversity consultant, my guiding principle is to build bridges between individuals, among groups and within institutions. That’s why I have little patience with those who foster divisions.
Terry: As you approach the age of 90, many would like to know your secret about living this long while maintaining your mental sharpness and acuity.
Carlos: The secret is my wife Laurel who taught me the importance of combining mental adventurousness with physical maintenance. In 1995, she encouraged me to take early retirement from the University of California at age 60 so that I could pursue my dream of becoming a full-time writer, lecturer and consultant. Nearly a decade later, when I was 69, she convinced me to join her in going to the gym. I haven’t stopped since.
Terry: How has all this affected you?
Carlos: It has helped me stay sharper, both mentally and physically. At 89 I certainly feel my age, but the combination of continuously accepting new professional challenges while also engaging in strenuous daily physical activity has really helped.
Terry: What has life taught you about the process of aging?
Carlos: Hey, it happens. But you can make it better if you approach life as a continuous adventure. Sort of like going on an active cruise (I still lecture on cruise ships) or whitewater river rafting (although I’ve stopped that).
Terry: What do your current daily activities look like?
Carlos: My wife Laurel and I have a basic daily schedule, although we don’t follow it rigidly because other things come up, like teaching classes, giving webinars, or seeing the kids and grandkids. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we go to the gym to pump iron and do elliptical exercises. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we take a three-mile speed walk around a nearby lake teeming with noisy ducks, geese, and egrets. Then we’re off to our individual activities, including writing (we both write). We have a home date every night to watch a movie together or a couple of episodes from a series. That gives us something new to discuss every day. Then we each have our separate mind-challenging daily routines, like doing puzzles. One of mine is playing international online trivia in eight languages, usually for about an hour every day.
Terry: Even though you’re about to turn 90, do you still accept new challenges?
Carlos: Absolutely. Three years ago, the medical school at the University of California, Riverside, asked me to become co-director of its brand-new Health Equity, Social Justice and Anti-Racism program. At 86 the wise move would have been to say no. But I couldn’t resist that opportunity to help improve health equity for marginalized communities. More than three years later I’m still teaching medical students more than 60 years younger than I.
Terry: Reflecting back on your life, what book or author has had the biggest impact on you?
Carlos: Probably the Irish writer Samuel Beckett who wrote twelve words that I constantly draw on: “Ever tried, ever failed, no matter, try again, fail again, fail better.” I don’t worry much about failing because I continuously pursue opportunities to fail better. New ventures provide a chance to fail better. That’s one reason why I go out of my way to place myself in challenging situations.
Terry: Could you give us examples?
Carlos: Sure. It took me a decade to complete my first novel (“Scouts’ Honor”) and find a publisher. If it is published in 2024 as scheduled, I may become the oldest U.S. first-time published novelist at 90 (an English woman had her first novel published at age 93). Also, I’ve performed my one-person autobiographical play, “A Conversation with Alana: One Boy’s Multicultural Rite of Passage,” more than 150 times around the country. But every time I perform it, I change at least one line so that the play becomes a fresh challenge.
Terry: What regrets might you have today when reflecting back on your life?
Carlos: This may seem disgustingly superficial, but I have few regrets. Maybe a handful of incidents I wish I could do over. When I was a teenager in Kansas City, my dad was a Boy Scout volunteer leader, and I became an Eagle Scout. Once I lied to him while holding up three fingers and swearing on Scouts’ Honor that I was telling the truth. I wish I could rewind that scene and be honest with him.
Terry: Thanks Carlos. Humm, “failing better.” That one is deep and unforgettable.
CLICK for Part 1: Introducing Dr. Carlos E. Cortes
CLICK for Part 3: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
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