The Senior Citizen Exclusive

The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without any measure. Tibetan Proverb

Life laughs at you when you are unhappy. Life smiles at you when you are happy. But life salutes you when you make others happy. Charlie Chaplin

Time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unawares of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young and embarking on my new life. Yet, in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But here it is, the last quarter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first quarter and the fourth quarter was so far off that I could not visualise it or imagine fully what it would be like. But here it is.

My friends are retired and getting grey. They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some in worse shape than me, but I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we would ourselves become one day.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore. It is rather mandatory! Because if I don’t on my own free will, I fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But at least I know, though I am on the last quarter and I am not sure how long it will last, this I know, that when it is over on this earth, it is over. A new adventure will begin!

O course, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I am happy to have done. It is all in a lifetime. So, if you’re not on the last quarter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think.

So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you are on the last quarter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. So, “live for today” and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

“Life” is a gift to us. The way we live our life is our gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. Live it well! Enjoy it! Do something to make fun! Be happy! Remember: “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

Lastly, consider this: “Going out is good...Coming home is better! You forget names...But it’s okat because some people forgot they even knew you! You realize you are never going to be really good at anything like golf. The things you used to care to do, you aren’t as interested in anymore, but you really don’t care that you aren’t as interested. You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV ‘ON’ than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep”.

You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch. You tend to use more of three or four letter words: “what?”, “when?” “Why”, “How? You have lots of clothes in your wardrobe, more than half of which you will never wear. But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, old friends! Stay well, “Old Friend!”

Don’t be sad in these three stages of life: (1) First Camp: 58 to 65 years: The workplace moves away from you. No matter how successful or powerful you become during your career, you will be called an ordinary person. So, don’t stick to the mindset and superiority complex of your previous job or business (2) Second Camp: 65 to 72 years: At this age, society slowly moves away from you. Your frequent friends and colleagues will reduce and hardly anyone will recognize you at your previous workplace. Don’t say “I was...” or “I was once...” because the younger generation will not recognize you, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it! (3) Third Camp: 72 to 77 years: At this camp, the family will slowly move away from you.

Even though you may have many children and grandchildren, most of the time you will be living with your partner or alone. When your children visit occasionally, it is an expression of affection, so don’t blame them for visiting less, because they are busy with their lives! And finally after 77: the earth wants to destroy you. At this time, don’t be sad or grieve, because this is the last stage of life, and everyone will eventually follow this path!

So, while our body is still capable, live life to the fullest! Eat, drink, play and do what you like. Be happy, live happily, Dear senior citizens.

After 58 it would be worthwhile to form a group of friends and keep meeting occasionally at a fixed place, at a fixed time. Keep in telephonic contact. Recall and share old life experiences with each other. Always be happy.

Advice: Minimise the use of Salt, Sugar, bleached floor, dairy products and processed products. Foods to be taken vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, nuts, eggs, cold pressed olive, cocoanut oil. Things you should forget (i) your age (ii) your past and (iii) your complaints. Essential things that you should cherish (i) Your family, (ii) your friends, (iii) your positive thoughts (iv) a clean and welcoming home. Three basic things you need to adopt (i) always smile and laugh (ii) do regular physical activity at your own pace (iii) check and control your weight.

 Bhushan Lal Razdan, formerly of the Indian Revenue Service