Honoring Jane Goodall: A life of purpose, compassion, and movement
From the time I was a young girl, I’ve been inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall. I can still remember poring over a massive coffee table book about her work with chimpanzees—until the pages literally fell apart from use. Her curiosity and joy in discovery shaped my own path. I read her books, taught about her in my classrooms, and even dressed up as her one Halloween. Those sparks of admiration led me to degrees in Biology and Psychology, and, later, to a career as a science teacher.
One of my greatest privileges was meeting her an American Montessori Society conference.
What struck me most was how her work grew beyond her groundbreaking research in Tanzania. Dr. Goodall became a global voice for compassion, peace, and connection. For more than two decades, she served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, tirelessly advocating for harmony between people, animals, and the planet.
She embodied what it means to be a true caretaker—of knowledge, of nature, and of hope.
Her words still guide me today and feel especially true in the healing work we do at Cedar Hill Physical Therapy:
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
An active life well lived
Dr. Goodall never slowed down. According to The New York Times, she traveled nearly 300 days a year—well into her later decades. She showed us that living with meaning and movement is not only possible but vital.
As Dr. Alison Moore, director of the Stein Institute for Research on Aging at UC San Diego, explained:
“Feeling like you have something to do, some reason for being, is powerful. Jane Goodall certainly had it.”
That sense of purpose gives people a reason to care for their health. When you know your “why,” you naturally want to stay strong enough to pursue it.
Rceommended reading in The New York Times: “What Jane Goodall Taught Us About Living a Long Life.”
The Cedar Hill Way: Living with Purpose and Movement
At Cedar Hill Physical Therapy, we believe in helping people live the Jane Goodall way:
- With purpose — finding meaning in daily life.
- With activity — staying strong, mobile, and engaged.
- With connection — embracing compassion and care for self and others.
Like Dr. Goodall, we know an active, purposeful life is a life well lived.