Who says old age is nothing but a number? As a society we seem to be terrified of it. We run from it like the plague and we'll do anything to keep it at bay.
Look at the millions spent buying products to hide or cover our naturally aging bodies. Creams to iron out the wrinkles of time, creams to disguise those liver spots, which we fondly refer to as 'death spots'. Chemical peels in an attempt to force the skin to rejuvenate itself. We endure sucks and tucks for that shameful over-stretched sagging skin. And what about the pain of undergoing surgery to pull the face north when the body is gravitating south? Need I mention the excess bags that accumulate under the eyes? If products can't shift it, surgery will. But I thought age was nothing but a number.
Some say 'you're as old as you feel' but the fact is, even if you feel 21, you're still and old 71 - ouch!
I say - what's all the fuss about? What are we so afraid of?
I mean, why can't we just view it in a positive light and accept it?
Those bags under your eyes, you worked damn hard to get those and anyone who can survive on earth with all it's pollutants for that long, will produce those telling signs.
That hoary head, is proof that you've lived enough to be full of wisdom and are capable of giving sound advice.
Those old weary bones might be frail now but they once built homes, fixed cars, and went to war. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Those liver spots serve as reminders to others, to give up their seat, hold open that door or to usher you to the front of the queue. Not bad at all. You can turn your selective hearing on whenever you please and dress crazy without anyone batting an eyelid, it's all wrapped up in being old aged. You can speak your mind with less offence and guzzle the wine more easily - everyone will pass it off as being elderly.
The whole package is a badge of honour! So what's so wrong with growing old gracefully?
What's all the trouble I hear about one being old
Your face folds into wrinkles and your room smells of mould
Your hair changes colour whether you like it or not
The smell of your body, gently tells you 'it's rot'!
Why should we care, cos we've had all our time
we've lived and we've loved and we've spent our last dime
Are you doing anything to keep old age at bay?
Do you relish being old or do you hate it?
Do you make allowances for old people?
I'd love to hear your views, comments, experiences and opinions.
I think we all live in an eternal present, so age doesn't matter at all. We're always the same age inside.
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking deep in my heart that I was still in my teens, age didn't matter until I nearly busted up my body trying to do gymnastics on the grass, mate. Thanks NP.
DeleteI just celebrated another birthday and enjoyed your blog. Love the comment above. I still feel the same age as I did years ago. I do believe I have more wisdom and maturity, and that's a good thing. I do lament that I tried on a pair of pants that I wore a few years ago, and I couldn't get the zipper up. Back to my traditional diet, trying to lose the same 10 pounds over and over again!
ReplyDeleteOh, Happy belated Birthday Carol, with many more to come your way. I know the feeling of trying to get into those old clothes too. Sometimes you just need to consider buying a bigger size. It's hard to get back into the same shape you was 10 years ago, but it's always good to eat healthy and exercise in the process. Good to hear from you Carol.
DeleteI am sorry to say I am even more afraid of getting old after reading your article on old age. haha no offence.
ReplyDeleteNo offence taken Jawaad, and a warm welcome to you here. It's best to accept something that we have no control over. At least we know it's on it's way, so prepare yourself.
DeleteI feel it's okay to get old but the fear of death coming closer scares me. It's the fear of the unknown.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to die comfortably in my sleep. I'm afraid of painful sickness and disability. I don't want to wear diapers.
When the news on TV announces the death of a celebrity I calculate how many years I might have left. As the years go by the "date of possible death" gets closer.
It's best to keep enjoying life as much as you can.
It's best to hope for something good "on the other side".
It's best to be grateful.
I've never heard them called "death spots". I like to call them "age spots".
As usual a good thought provoking post.
Enjoy the weekend!
Your friend John.
Death is a funny thing, in a serious way. We all are heading for the grave but most of us want to die in our own personal way. No pain, quickly, quietly etc. And it is a little scary not knowing how or when. But you've hit the nail right on the head John. Focus on living here and now and enjoy every moment because if you focus on the fear of death, life will pass you by quickly and you'll be wondering what happened to all those lost years. Always good to hear from you John.
DeleteOld...
ReplyDeleteThree letters and a whole wOrLD of meaning.
I would not know what it is to feel age into your body, nor into your soul. Not yet, surely I will, and then I will remember this post, RPD! :) If I do not experience old age, then nothing is the matter! :)
Meanwhile I just fare on the experience of my Granddad, he says:
Never wait the Golden Years to enjoy life, those years arrive when everything aches, even the ideas.
Try to keep fit, but not too fit.
Think of you as you think you are, not as you are.
Use those things you learned during travelling to old age, so try to learn a lot.
Do not despise old age now, and do not take offence if somebody despise you in your Golden Years, if they are young, they do not know their clue, if they are old, they are embittered. Just forget them.
Be kind, do not let years to irk you. It is just a different phase of life and unavoidable, so take it as it is coming.
Do not tell others that preceding times were better, they were not, and besides you are trying to convince yourself, not them, when you do that.
I could go on forever...
But I shouldn't try to change anybody way of thinking, they are entitled to that! :)
As you see, I will have a very happy ageing and Golden Years!
I love the way you did that Od - wOrLD. Nice touch mate.
DeleteWow, you are 'a chip off the ole block' mate. You had a very wise granddad and I can see why you write so well. It seems as though philosophy runs in your family core, to the bone. I'm sure your Golden Years will be great. Always looking forward to your comments Od Liam.
I honestly pretty much ignore the passing of time. I'm not overly concerned with death, because I live my life the best I can right now. Age is just something that kind of gets in the way of what I want to do. The only thing I am doing, is working out and such, but that's mainly because I'm getting so old that inactivity truly hurts.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just loathe it when you can't run at high speed for the bus any more, lift heavy things like you used to or even stay out as late as you did before? What can we all do? Work with what we have, and working out is a good way to strengthen those aching bones. Thanks Dan.
DeleteI do hate it. I hate it that I can't fall anymore and just get back up. Or that cuts take so long to heal. But in the end, I don't dwell on it. I just work with what I've got and keep on going. There's far more to life than comfort.
DeleteAs I look at my parents' faces, I can see the reality of age...
ReplyDeleteThough I sometimes fear 'old age' I just thought to accept it and grow old gracefully just like them.
Good idea Ric. I remember waking up one morning getting ready to go out and all of a sudden I noticed I had a slight bag under one of my eyes. Mind you, it did panic me for a few months because I realised that my body was now getting old. But I've always love to see people with gray/white hair. It just looks so distinguished. Thanks for the comment Ric LifeNCanvas.
DeleteI dont want to sound ungrateful, since I think life is a precious gift and I love it.
ReplyDeleteBut getting old stinks.
To quote Mr. Mellencamp,
"..Growing up leads to growing old and eventually dying, and dying to me don't sound like all that much fun."
Ha, ha ha ha Jayme. 'Getting old stinks?' Seems like you're having a hard time with it. How does Mr Mellencamp know that dying isn't fun? Does he know something I don't? (joking).
DeleteYou're not being ungrateful, just honest. Thanks for the comment.
Yeah, I am having a hard time with it. Its not so easy after all.
DeleteI really dont think I'm able to 'grow old gracefully' --I dont even know what that means. I was awkward as a teenager, I'll probably be an awkward elderly person too. :]
I don't mind getting older, but I do mind losing my strength and stamina. So I fight old age by taking yoga and tending my farm.
ReplyDeleteEven if you lose your strength through no fault of your own, there are still so many wonderful ideas that can help keep your mind active and be a great help to society and the environment. I've learned some tips already from your blog 'Back to Basics', so keep it up mate.
DeleteI think I'm in the minority, but age does matter to me. There are things I'd like to do that I just can't any more. And yes, it makes me sad. Not always, but sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAnd the generation ahead of me in my family, I'm closer to losing them. And the generation behind me, I know I'll miss milestones.
So no, I don't sit here and dwell on it. But if we're talking about it I'm going to admit that yes, getting older does sometimes make me sad.
Karen, you made a great point and I appreciate your truthfulness. I didn't even think about it that way, so you've got me thinking on another level now. And thanks because it also makes you appreciate everything around you that much more.
DeleteGreat post, we should accept the fact of growing old gracefully and positively , you cant fight with nature. I am not afraid of growing old ," Old is gold " :)
ReplyDeleteLike the phrase 'Old is gold'. Being old can offer the young so much insight into the life ahead of them. And it can also help them stop making the common silly mistakes the older person has already been through... when they listen!!! Good to hear from you Aunt Mary
DeleteWhen it comes to aging, I can't say I like watching myself grow old but I don't obsess over it, either. What is hard for me, though, is not the look of growing old but the FEELING of it. My body can't do some of the things it did when I was younger. So for me, what's sad about aging is the slow deterioration of my body. I took my body's health and capabilities for granted when I was younger. Now I don't. I'm not as concerned with looks as I am with ability to do the things I love. It saddens me that I won't be able to do them forever.
ReplyDeleteYes, there's definately 2 sides of being old. The physical ability and the looks. If you're a very active person, it will be or must be hard to have a strong mind to do something which your body can't support. I've heard so many older people talk about how they loved their jobs, hobbies etc, but they're just not able to continue them anymore. I guess, we all need to think about some new things that we might like and which we will be able to do when we get older. For example - a person who used to do boxing, now battles on the chess board. A person who used to scale mountains to see the view from the peak now works their imagination with a challenging read to see a fresh vision in their mind...
DeleteThanks for the comment Janene.
"And what about the pain of undergoing surgery to pull the face north when the body is gravitating south "...you really made ne laugh:))))
ReplyDeleteAbout the excess bags under the eyes; guilty!
I cried a lot during my life that I looked a hundred years old when I was 40. My kind husband gave me a gift to a surgery because he knows that I reaaly wanted too. Now I look as 40 when I am fifty one. Although my personality is the same and I feel thatny life has just began, but I cant deny that I am getting old. But I am enjoying every bit of it now.
By the way, your post today is really inspiring. I wonder if I can borrow it to publish in my blog next week with your name of course. It is really worth sharing to more people.
You can send me your approval if you like to my email account: Ligaya.bugten@gmail.com.
I'm so glad that you are enjoying life right now and you've got to the point where you can accept your looks too. It's always a compliment when you look younger than you are.
DeleteThanks for the kind words you said about my post this week and it's my pleasure and joy (and that's not a play on words!) for you to use my post on your blog.
I would love for everyone who reads this to please visit Joy, and take a good look around her blog. She'd love to hear your thoughts on her posts. You can find her on the link below:
Joy's Notepad
I'm never getting old. I'm 38 and have been for the last 9 years and intend to stay this age forever.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note - I think getting old worries us all.
If you've found the cure to staying young Lanthie, then it's only right that you share it with all of us. No point in you being the only young person on earth, surrounded by oldies, ha ha ha ha. Thanks Lanthie.
DeleteI might be 50, but I still feel like the kid I've always been inside. I'm more physically fit now than I was when I was 20, and I feel great. I wouldn't change a thing about myself.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't change anything about you either Helena, I've seen your photos and you look physically extremely fit, you eat a good healthy diet and exercise quite a lot. I have yet to see the 'fat' that you are trying to get off your body! When you find a piece via a microscope, let me know, ha ha ha. Thanks for the comment mate.
DeleteI don't mind aging but I will always be young inside... I also will color my hair and never dress my age. However; I have had people say to me, why don't you tell people you are younger? I was like no way!!! I earned all of my 50 years and I am proud to say it:)
ReplyDeleteGood for you Launna. Why lie about your age when you look good for it anyway? Be proud of who you are now and you have a lot to offer others. Nice to hear from you again.
DeleteI don't see a problem with getting aged. This is a natural process. There's nothing to be afraid of.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that scares me is loosing my health. That's gonna be hard to accept.
Take a look! She's 54! But who says?
http://vimeo.com/72087766
Let's just hope that we all keep excellent health during those old days. We can take a good leaf out of Helena and Launna's book in regards to exercising as we move on in life.
DeleteAh, is that Madonna? One thing I'll say for her is that she sure does have some dance moves. I'd love to really know if that's all her own body though. Can't rely on rumurs but I'm curious. Thanks Just Me.
Old age seems terrifying to the young Lol. But it's something that we should accept, nothing lasts, we all expire O_o Lol.. Interesting post. x
ReplyDeleteInteresting word, 'expire', Dan A. It sounds like one of the words you get on food packaging that gives you a 'sell by date' or 'use before' date, ha ha ha! Thanks for stopping by mate.
DeleteI don't like the idea of looking old just yet. I feel young so why would I want to look old. I color my hair. My skin isn't too bad yet. I can see some of the wear and tear on the body. It is to be expected I am nearing 60. I don't think I would want to take the risks of plastic surgery. I would love it if my body looked 20 but I want my mind as it is today. I love the experiences I have accumulated. I wouldn't give them up for a young body.
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call a woman who's comfortable in her own skin. Nice one Betty and welcome to my blog. Hope to hear from you again.
DeleteI recently turned sixty. Suddenly, everything looked different and I thought I'd better start playing bingo, drink tea without milk, add half a slice of lemon and drink my tea out of the saucer.
ReplyDeleteI do think aspects of age really are a state of mind. I know folks half my age who are judgemental and closed-minded. There is that stereotype about older folks being that way. I'm not worried about my age. I do have a few health issues, but I embrace life as best I can.
Besides, here we go, 60 is the new 50 and so on. So what does that make a 10 year old? I enjoy whatever age I am. I interact with people of all ages and I laugh a lot.
I do like the fact I now get my prescriptions for free! Yay and with that I'm going skateboarding.....!!!
Yippee, we have a silver surfer skateboarder in our midst. I just can't wait to see video footage of you flying up over those ramps and spinning that board beneath your feet, shouting 'I'm free, I'm free', ha ha ha.
DeleteAnd watch out for the pensioner's bingo gang. I've bumped into them a few times in the queue at the bus stop after they've played a few games and lost. There're worse than the 'crips & bloods' mate.
I'm hoping that by the time I reach pension age, free prescriptions will still be on offer Gary. You've lived long enough, so make sure you claim all you're entitled to. Don't forget that bus pass and all!
I am scared of getting old. I don't want to have a young mind limited by an old body, always saying: "I used to be able to..." And I am TERRIFIED of Alzheimer's. I have way too much experience with it to be ignorant of the cruel, heartless way it destroys your mind and memories. I'm scared of family members getting old, and ultimately losing them. I'm scared of leaving my kids.
ReplyDeleteI am scared of getting old.
I hope I haven't upset you with this topic and I'm sorry to see that what you have witnessed has affected you so deeply. At the same time it's good to confront old age, even if it frightens us - there's always steps to take. Even in the case of Alzheimer's experts say that apparently learning a language, playing chess, and now I hear even playing table-tennis can all build our resilience against it (not a cure). Thanks for the candid comment Black Sheep Mom.
DeleteYou're right, RPD. Knowledge is power!
Delete"The whole package is a badge of honor." Absolutely! I think it's an achievement of distinction to age, and especially to age gracefully.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelly. It's something I would like to see grow in this Western culture that just doesn't seem to respect the old so much as the Eastern ones do. Especially as I ain't hardly no spring chicken myself, lately! Great to hear from you Shelly.
DeleteYay for you - now you're a poet, too! :) I think our western culture worships youth and physical perfection, and misses out on the benefits of aging - wisdom, compassion, experience, understanding. I am going grey - and have made a conscious choice to NOT colour it away. I don't see any point in pretending I am younger than I am. I try to eat well and get some exercise to look after my body but I balance that with also looking after my mind and spirit - my inner character will outlast my outer frame, after all, and is well worth investing in. I can't say that the advancement of aches and pains is something to celebrate - but the growth in my experience and compassion sure is! So - since it is inevitable, I work at accepting new limitations but choose to look for new benefits as well. Balance, as in all areas...
ReplyDeleteI actually just posted a poem about aging today - http://melodylowes.com/2013/08/10/between-the-lines/ There is a lot more to us all than our physical frame!
DeleteI know my poem was a bit cheeky, but hopefully the post will put it in perspective - I'm just trying to laugh in the face of what many of us fear.
DeleteOscar Wilde famously said that 'youth is wasted on the young'... if that is so, I hope that the opposite is true and that the glories of old age are appreciated by the discerning.
I enjoyed reading your poem and left you a comment, and I'd like others to also enjoy it by clicking the link below. Please let Melody know your thoughts too:
Between the Lines
Thanks for the comment Melody.
Great post.
ReplyDeleteI've always maintained that all of our internal monologues take place in the voice of our teenaged selves anyway. In the privacy of our heads we're all just big kids, so it makes very little difference what the vehicle looks like, so to speak, as long as the adolescent driver is having a good time.
So true, Dale. My dad always said that he carried the same dreams as he had as a kid. The outside looked different, but inside he was still that young boy.
DeleteDale and Diana. I often marvel about that. I still feel pretty much the same age I always have. But when I look around me others - particularly policemen and doctors - keep looking younger and younger. And that person in the mirror... how and when did that happen?
DeleteI guess age might well be something that our outside senses tell us in spite of what we feel inside. Thank you both for the comment.
Love your posts, always short and thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteI found, some people look old, but they look healthy. I like that. Being chronically ill I sometime could look "sick-and-old" without a single "line" on my face, that that made me very unhappy :-(. I think "feeling old" meaning feeling "lifeless", which is not how a healthy (both physically and mentally) person feel like. So I would say that I don't mind look old, as long as I am healthy.
Wise words Yun Yi, which many of the people commenting seem to agree with. Given the choice between looking old and feeling old, how you feel is definitely the most important, by a loooooong way! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteIf old age is something that scares me, what's the point of living? Kidding! Well, getting old as the natural process of life is something which we can't stop - the gravity pull is too strong, the skin will keep on sagging, no matter how hard we try to fight it. Some would go under the knives to bring back that youthful look but inside, the organs are ageing, thus don't work at par with what's physically seen outside!
ReplyDeleteWhat's important, enjoy life as it is. I agree at some points from the comments above.
Be happy! :)
Dear Rumpunch, I don't mean to spam. I didn't send my comments twice. There's a glitch in my internet connection . Please, remove one of my comments. Thank you.
DeleteThanks Balqis. Sometimes we have no choice but to work with what we've got.
DeleteYes, don't worry as I deleted your duplicate comment copy as requested.
What a great post! We should shout it from the rooftops if we are fortunate to get old. I've known too many who've died while young or middle-aged and didn't have the gift of growing old.
ReplyDeleteSo, why do so many think aging is a curse instead of a blessing? There is so much pressure in the media to do botox, or dye your hair, or get that face lift, as if that's the answer, as if you can hold back time.
Now that I'm older and rarely get a second glance, it's actually very pleasant not to worry so much about how I look. I'm fine with that. I was lucky enough to have it once. It's time to move over and give the younger ones their day in the sun. I'm hoping I can continue to grow old with grace as every day older is a gift.
So true Diana. Many have been taken from us, sometimes in harsh and cruel ways.
DeleteYou have a point about the media. I mean, how many times do you actually get to see old women play brilliant lead roles in films or TV? It's usually the older men who are fortunate enough to do this. And how many times have you seen the more mature hoary head women grace the front cover of the popular best selling magazines? Or have jobs such as news-readers on TV? Those jobs are filled by the young and beautiful (not that old is not beautiful too though).
Thanks for stopping by Diana.
It makes me think of a woman in her 80s I met this summer. She said she did not feel a year older than when she was 19. I thought there were 2 possible explanations to her feeling. Either she does not remember a thing about being 19 or, if she does, she had a very lousy 19th year!
ReplyDeleteI remember 19 and it was hugely different from 63, as I am now. But, like Diana above, I am glad I am no longer in the race.
It's great to hear from you Alain. 80 years old? I bet she had some stories to tell too.
DeleteI guess, when you don't have concerns about your looks, clothing, or what others think etc, you are much more relaxed in life. You can take the focus off yourself and pay more attention to the things around you.
Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteOur societies do not tolerate aging. Aging should be embraced and applauded. Graceful aging is associated with wisdom and experience.
I appreciate life much more the older I get. Life becomes much more interesting and rich in experiences. I can't get enough of it.
I also LOVE talking to senior people. I like it so much that I became a geriatrician.
I also think that our modern societies are frivolous and short-sighted. And there is more pressure against women.
ReplyDeleteWomen get the worst part when they age. It is unfair.
That's exactly part of the problem, Julia. Well said!
DeleteSome of the older people have a wealth of information and have experienced so many things in life. It's just so sad that many of them live on their own and don't get to talk to anyone for days.
DeleteI agree with your comment about society and that women go through a lot more than men when it comes to old age. Thanks for commenting Julia.
I agree with Julia that women do suffer more when their looks fade. But aging does have negative effects on both men and women in the job force. It shouldn't be that way, as some people in their 70's and 80's have more energy than people in their 50's.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Great point. When it comes to employment and in my own humble opinion, it is more likely that an older person will be more committed, reliable, take less time off work, turn up on time and know how to deal with customers due to their experience compared to a much younger person. So it's sad when they are forced out of work due to retirement, or when they just can't find suitable work because nobody wants to take them on. They are assets not liabilities. Nice to hear from you Empty Nest Insider.
DeleteThis is a great post. I've often-times wondered what all the fuse is about too. Gone are the days when old age was something to look forward too and revere. I still do wish to grow old gracefully though. Hopefully it'll be back in fashion by the time I'm old and grey:)Thanks for the wonderful reminder that old age is honorable and privileged. Not everyone gets to join the club, and those who do must feel lucky to be there!
ReplyDeleteEven if it's not in fashion Nicole, you can be the one to start the trend :)
DeleteThank you so much for passing by and leaving a comment.
You are spot on! What is the fuss about aging?
ReplyDeleteI will not color my hair or have Botox shots. I wear my wrinkles and grey sprouts of hair with honor. I earned them!
You sure did. So raise that badge of honour high mate, for all to see. Bravo Lauren :)
DeleteI love my old age and my white hair. It's like a badge of honor - I made it this far. The only thing I wish I could do different is not be so tired.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could give you a potion to take that tiredness away, but I don't have the answer. I'm wondering if there are any supplement solutions such as vitamins etc, or herbal remedies, or even light exercise which can help.
DeleteEither way, similar to what I said to Lauren, Bravo and wear that badge with dignity mate.
I wouldn't say in a million years that I like my body but I have to say that the thought of it getting older is not one of the things that I hate the most. I already have grey hairs at 28! (thanks to some lovely family genetics, plus I'm allergic to hair dye!) Even though they do bother me, they are way down on my list of worries. I won't ever understand people wanting to go under the knife. When we think about the people we love we don't see the wrinkles or aging, just the beautiful people they are :)
ReplyDeleteIt's all about being beautiful on the inside Jade. We can mask ourselves in whatever we think but it's our inner beauty that will separate us at the end of the day. Don't allow a few gray hairs to put you off, but use it to your advantage.
DeleteIt's just funny how you don't notice the wrinkles of those around you unless you haven't seen them for a long time....
Thanks for the comment Jade.
Ahhhhhhhh, but for a magical pill!!!
ReplyDeleteSince there is not one, you just keep going til you can't go any longer. It is what it is.
Some do it better than others. Others do it better than some.
We just lost Captain Kangaroo!!! It ends for everybody at some point.
Enjoyed, Slu
Slu, 'what is man that thou art mindful of him'? Every beginning must come to an end at some point. But what's important is, what you do with the dash in-between.
DeleteMy condolences for the loss of the 'captain' but errr... who is he? And who's running the ship in his absence?
Always good to hear from my man Slu.
I am not frightened becoming old
ReplyDeleteI am frightened of becoming ill, infirm and helpless
Now I know the two things are not exclusive
But it's a worry
I suspect most people feel the same
I guess nobody wants to be limited physically or mentally in old age but who can predict what will happen to us all? We can only live for today and hope tomorrow will be better. Thanks for stopping by John.
DeleteIs this the response to my reply on your question RPD? hahah Kidding :D
ReplyDeleteWell.... deep breath, here we go!. When I was younger I wanted so bad to be older, now that I am older, I wish time to stop or at least have some mercy on me, perhaps to make me live the days I lost when I was younger.... its not easy to explain this really. I am not afraid of getting old, I am afraid not to have health of strength to live life and all the things that come across my way.
I do feel tired to be honest, I can no longer do long shifts on my feet, gone are the days I used to work 70hr a week... guess the effects of that show on me already.
I just want to be healthy RPD I don't mind my grey hair or my crows feet and the beer belly I so proudly show :P
Fantastic post as always RPD
Oh, we all want mercy to be shown to us Hotei. And I too remember being very young but wanting to be older. Within a flick of an eyelid your wishes have been granted but it's not where you want to be right now.
DeleteAnything over 40hrs per week is madness to me, so I can imagine how you must feel about 70 hrs per week. Knackered comes to mind.
From the comments, health seems to be number 1 on the list. I appreciate the comment Hotei.
I try to take care of myself as best as possible. I exercise regularly and eat well. My biggest downfall is sugar. It's so bad for the body but I crave it daily. Hard habit to break. I am a skin care fanatic, though. I have been taking care of it since my college days and it shows. It's the only thing physically about myself that I am proud of. I DO think age is a state of mind--- however, it's a rough adjustment to feel 35 and then see the face of an elderly person staring back at you in the mirror. It's also hard to deny the little aches and pains that creep up on us with advancing age. I'm not afraid of getting older, but I sure a hell don't want to LOOK like an old crone while I'm at it.
ReplyDeleteYou look great for your age MM. And all that craziness that goes on in your household will keep you mentally agile for a very long time. If only I could be a fly on the wall for 1 day.
DeleteNow when I was last in the States, there was a woman waiting for a bus that started screaming and screaming in the middle of the street. A policeman went by and could see the expression on our faces and told us she had had too much 'sugar'. So what do you mean by 'sugar'? :)
You'll never look like an old crone mate.
Hi Rum-Punch Drunk, very thoughtful post. We should be proud of old age as a positive progression in the natural order of life. Yes, it should be a badge of honor, I agree. However, it seems as a society (at least in the Western world) age is not revered, often not very well respected. Like that poem at the end of your post. Did you write it?
ReplyDeleteAm I doing anything to keep old age at bay? You bet I am. The older I get, the more careful I am about eating well and exercising. I use anti-aging skin care products. I take vitamins. My prescription glasses are Transitions lens (adjusts with the light), recommended by the eye doctor.
Do I relish getting old? I would love to say yes but the honest answer is not really. I am not upset about getting old; it’s part of the natural cycle of life. But for all the wisdom one has gained for all the years lived, there’s a downside especially in the area of health. Recently, I had a painful and swollen toe on my left foot, the middle toe. I thought it might be an injury. The doctor said it was the beginnings of arthritis and simply due to aging. Being ever so helpful, the good doc added that the arthritis in my toe is just the start, I will surely see more arthritis popping up elsewhere in my body as I age. Yes, something to (not) look forward to! So I don’t exactly relish getting old but I accept it.
Do I make allowances for old people? Yes, definitely, and I try to do it without being patronizing. I’m very patient with the elderly. I treat them the way I’d want to be treated one day. I try to do little things like picking up the newspaper and bringing it to my elderly neighbor’s door so she won’t have to bend down, being patient when an elderly individual is slow walking or talking, offering them the place in front of me in a store checkout line if I see they are having trouble standing on their feet, just little things like that. And I love hearing stories from older individuals, stories about their lives, what they’ve done, how they’ve lived.
Yes, that was my very first attempt ever at writing poetry JerseyLil, I couldn't resist.
DeleteSorry to hear that you have arthritis. I'm hoping that your doctor will be able to advise you on things to do or remedies to take to help alleviate any pain or swellings. That's the part of aging none of us like.
I like what you mentioned about making allowances for the elderly too and we can only hope and pray that the younger ones of today will be kind and treat us with respect and dignity as we age.
Always good to hear from you JerseyLil.
Hello, Rum Punch Drunk,
ReplyDeleteI am your new follower and I am so glad that I found your blog. Sometimes I think that age is just a number, which is changing during the day. In the morning I usually feel that I am thirty years old, then as the day goes by my number gets bigger and bigger and at the end of day i feel sometimes that I am sixty years old. I read that 55-70 is considered young old and then from 70 and up old old but reality is quiet different. I know a person who is 80 years old and he is so vital and full of energy that it breaks everything about what is said of age. Our age isn't a number; it's what is in our head and how we feel about life.
Welcome Kaya, and thanks for following my blog. I have the same experience some days. I awake with a fresh and new body only to feel extremely old by the end of the day.
DeleteI'm just hoping that if I ever reach 80, I'll be physically and mentally in good condition.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Kaya, and hope you continue to participate with us all here.
What a positive outlook on the issues surrounding ageing. We all get older, the alternative is not appealing, so why do so many see it as something to be avoided? Yes I like to add a spot of hair dye and my face cream is always near by, but I'm not obssessed with the process, I would never undertake surgery for example. Enjoy the age you are I say. Whenever you visit a doctor they always seem to comment, "It's your age" anyway!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be very comfortable with yourself Suzanne. However, it is a bit worrying looking at the bigger picture when you begin to be treated differently by people like doctors who may not take your complaints as seriously as they would those of a younger person. It's not just ageism, it's dangerous. I'd advise anyone in those situations to stick to their guns. Thanks for the comment Suzanne.
DeleteI'm am a young man of 70, who seemed to have aged six years in the last six months. I am proud of my white hair and beard cause it took me many years and a lot of living to get to this age. Good post, friend.
ReplyDeleteDizzy-Dick, that's funny because I know someone who is in his twenties but inside his heart, he's already an old man. He can grumble for England, and always complaining about the condition of society, how it's going from bad to worse and how it wasn't like this in his day.
DeleteI like the fact that despite you be a YOUNG man of 70, you're always doing something in your life. I'll be round your blog soon and hope you get that RV sorted. Nice to hear from you.
Thanks for the heads up on BC, very thought provoking article. I try not to make the nuance of Aging bother me as you said its more like a badge of honor and you are as old as you think. Living a fulfilling life is key so at the end you can look back over at the land scape of life and have no regrets -My Gramps thought me that.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for stopping by Ricardo. Looking back on a fulfilling life, hmmm... that's a good point. I don't imagine I'll be lying on my deathbed reminiscing on all the gray hairs I pulled out. It will be about experiences, people and places that will captivate my attention. Someone said, 'leaving this life should be like going to bed after an exciting challenging and fulfilling day, your job is done and it's time to rest'.
DeleteLoved what your grandad taught you, wise man mate.
First of all, RPD, another great post.
ReplyDeleteAs I have gotten older and as I see my mother aging, the reality of aging and death becomes more pronounced. Of course, my view about death is strongly influenced by my Christian views. I see death not as the ultimate end but as a means of ushering me to an awesome life that has no end. As for this life, I do keep an exercise routine, I eat sensibly, and keep my mind active so that I can enjoy this life that God has blessed me with. As I often say, I am on my way to heaven, but I am bent on thoroughly enjoying the journey there.
That's it Frank. Enjoying the journey of this life. One of the aspects of wisdom I have learned is that I now realise I am not indestructible. I'm a lot less reckless that I was as a youth and I understand the value of taking care of myself in a much deeper way. And, with that, as the years tick by, I've thought about death more than ever. Always good to know your thoughts Frank.
DeletePersonally, I believe there's a certain grace that comes with age. So, I'm embracing it! Great post, RPD.
ReplyDeleteEmbrace it Disa, make the most of the life you have now. Thanks for the comment mate.
DeleteI'm pretty happy and content being in my 40's now. Still work out and keep in shape. Try to eat healthy, but still enjoy my treats and beer of course. Not doing any of those crazy things or gimmicks people do to try and hold off aging or pretend they are younger. Just enjoying life and living well.
ReplyDeleteHey, getting older is better than the alternative - 6 feet under!
Well I know how much you've been enjoying life Phil. Only this morning I almost had tears in my eyes reading about that lovely restaurant you went to, and how cheap the food was. Those pictures? Yum.
DeleteAnd it's better to be alive for sure mate.
I can't say I hate getting old, but it is certainly different. My fear with getting old is not so much "getting old" but growing old alone. BTW tmrw is my BD. Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteOh, My Meddling Mind, a very very Happy Birthday and sorry I saw this so late. I hope you did something really nice and enjoyed the day, and I'll have a glass wine for you. Here's to growing old gracefully and not alone cheers :)
DeleteI must admit that I do fear growing old. The idea of my body slowly shutting down terrifies me. Honestly, I try not to think about it.
ReplyDeleteSooner or later we all get there Shawn, but it just might help to have a healthy balanced diet, keep the exercise routine up, keep active with your mind etc.
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