If you’ve reached this far, celebrate. Be happy and rejoice; be grateful. Why? Because getting old is an accomplishment no less like finishing the Badwater Ultramarathon.
Many of your contemporaries aspired to wing it, but fate says otherwise. Or people younger than you. Yet, here you are, alive and kicking. Eager, like a raging bull, to give life a fitting encore before the curtain finally falls on you.
You are not over the top, as younger people may condescendingly describe you, or a spent force. You are a better remake of yourself 15 or 20 years ago.
Yes, your vision may be a little blurry, your hearing less acute, and your feet a little wobbly. But overall, you can still take on anybody younger than you. Well, in your own terms, of course.
Does this sound so optimistic? Yes, it is. At this stage in your life, you must be optimistic. Optimism gives your life a little bounce. It makes you greet each morning with a smile and deep gratitude when you go to bed at night.
Optimism drives away doubts, uncertainties, and fears. Take it from Margaret Manning who wrote, “The truth is that getting older is nothing to be feared of. In fact, there are many reasons to believe that life in your 60s and 70s can be the best time of your life.”
Here are a few reasons why…
Reasons to Celebrate Old Age
Oct. 1 is designated by the U.N. as the International Day of Older Persons in cognizance of the contributions older people have made to society. It is a special day for all seniors all over the world.
But in your own way, you can celebrate each day because of the following reasons:
1. You look (and act) respectable
Don’t worry about a few grey hairs and wrinkles on your face and hands. Consider them a badge of honor for having survived everything life threw at you.
They tell stories younger people would love to hear, and eager to experience.
On the lighter side, courtesy lanes are available for you so you won’t have to fall behind long lines and discounts in movie houses, restaurants, and transportation fares.
By default, you are accorded the respect owing to your age.
2. You are a symbol of strength
The best sword is that which has remained unbroken, and sharp, after having fought so many battles.
Consider yourself that sword – unbroken and sharp, despite all the vicissitudes, trials, heartbreaks, and failures you’ve met in your life.
Like a giant oak tree, you have weathered so many storms in life, some of which show in the lines and furrows on your face.
3. You have wisdom
The years have made you a priceless source of knowledge and experience for the coming generations.
It can guide them to make better decisions, avoid pitfalls, and mistakes that can throw them way off course.
You are often the source of inspiration of your children and grandchildren. And your age-old stories grip them in awe.
4. Life is simpler
Old age is like a plane that has reached flying altitude and is flying smoothly at cruising speed. The engines are not straining for more height, but smoothly flying along until it reaches its destination.
You, too, are in the cruising speed of life. You have reached your career aspirations, done your familial responsibilities, and debt-free (hopefully). There is nothing more you need or aspire for but happiness and peace.
You can get by with as little as possible, i.e., clothes, money, entertainment and, of course, friends.
5. You have better friends
The years allowed you to sift your friends, discarding those who are unworthy of your friendship and retaining those who do.
They are the ones you care about and care for you, too. You can tell each other secrets and enjoy each other’s company. You compliment each other and, should it be necessary, give you some space.
A couple of good friends is worth celebrating than a dozen who will let you down when things go south or sell you out for their own selfish needs.
6. Is fun
Old age is the time to have fun, lots of it. It allows you to do the things you always wanted to do but never did for lack of time and resources.
You can sleep as much as you want or hit the road at the break of dawn to run a mile or two. Or you can join other seniors doing group exercise in the park.
You can start a hobby or take a course from your local college or university; learn how to cook so you can prepare signature meals.
If you haven’t the time to travel before, now is the best time to do it. Of you can simply take long drives to neighboring cities or states. To add a spark in your life, you can join online dating sites and give love another chance.
The list is endless. It is only limited by your imagination. That includes doing something crazy and far out.
As Louis Kronenberger puts it, “Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing a week.”
Oliver Sachs, a New York University professor of neurology and author, wrote a poignant tribute to his father who lived up to 94.
In part, it reads, “I do not think of old age as an ever grimmer time that one must somehow endure and make the best of, but as a time of leisure and freedom, freed from the factitious urgencies of earlier days, free to explore whatever I wish, and to bind the thoughts and feelings of a lifetime together.”
Celebrating old age may seem bizarre to seniors suffering age-related issues. But imagine this: would life be any better by moping about them or feeling sorry for yourself? Definitely not.
So celebrate. A study was done among end-of-life seniors to find what their greatest regret in life is. Almost all said, “Not having done the things they should have.”
Don’t be one of them.
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Image: Evanescent Light
~oOo~
