From Crawling to Not Falling – The Myth of Oedipus and the Journey of Aging

In this captivating episode of *The Bird’s-Eye-View Podcast*, Jack and Janet Finch take listeners on a journey through myth and reality, using the ancient story of Oedipus and the Sphinx as a metaphor for the stages of human life and the challenges we face as we age.

The tale begins outside the city of Thebes, where the Sphinx—a mythical creature with the body of a lion, wings of an eagle, and the tail of a serpent—posed her famous riddle to travelers: “Which is the creature that has one voice but has four feet in the morning, two feet in the afternoon, and three feet at night?” The answer, as Oedipus correctly guessed, was "man," symbolizing the journey from crawling as a baby to walking independently and eventually needing support in old age.

Jack and Janet explore how this ancient riddle reflects the physical journey we all undertake, from our first steps to the challenges of maintaining stability and balance later in life. They discuss how, just as Oedipus faced the Sphinx’s test, we each encounter our own “Sphinx”—the physical and environmental factors that threaten our independence and stability as we grow older.

Using Finch Q’s unique approach to proactive health, Jack and Janet offer listeners insights and practical advice to navigate these stages gracefully. They discuss the importance of balance, strength, and mindfulness, sharing tips on how to maintain mobility and avoid the pitfalls of frailty and falls.

This episode is not just about avoiding falls; it’s about embracing each stage of life with confidence and resilience. Join Jack and Janet as they bridge mythology and modern health, reminding us all that while the journey of life may be inevitable, there are steps we can take to meet it with strength and purpose.