“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” said Mark Twain. However, to many of us it is a fact that we do mind old age because it matters. I see many people face old age with a strange combination of fear, anxiety, and a sense of insecurity.
Though we have seen old people, none of us has the experience of being old before we really get there.
Aging people often worry about many things such as likely loss of status, loss of hair, reduced income, likely health problems, impaired mobility, and so on. Finally comes a time when suddenly they realize that most of their worries are turning out to be realities; they are no longer young; hair turns grey and/or they become bald; firmness becomes saggy, and we realize that we no longer fit very well in the younger modern society. Before you realize that old age is happening to you, it is time to face it.
The harsh reality of old age cannot be ignored. People who have been in high ranks of power suddenly discover their diminished utility. The whole mindset changes. A sense of fear grips - fear of being dependent and burdensome to others. How to overcome this fear and grow old gracefully? What can we do about it if you cannot avoid it?
Let me provide you 10 easy tips on how to address the issue of old age. These are just my own thoughts. You can modify them as you feel appropriate to you.
1. Accept old age, whatever it may appear to be, without judging it. Do not fret about the past. If you really accept old age with an open mind, it can turn out to be a wonderful and interesting experience.
2. Pursue your interests. Keep your mind and body active to the extent possible. Take a walk, play with a child, listen to some music, sing, laugh at jokes, perform rituals like poojas, read books, write if you can, renew old contacts - do whatever to keep your body and mind engaged.
3. Learn many things over the information superhighway - the internet can serve as a great entertainment and learning process.
4. Take tips from our great religion. Read or listen to scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Ramayanam or participate in group discussions and bhajans.
5. Cultivate some special interests. For instance, you may like to do some gardening work. It is exciting to watch a plant grow, flower, and bear fruits.
6. Volunteer - perform some social service. Help someone to find a job, teach a student, be a solace to someone in distress - in short, contribute something to society.
7. Strive to reduce your wants and demands, keep them to essentials for your living. Resolve not to buy anything new unless it is essential.
8. Practice austerity while you are still not very old. Learn to cook, prepare your own coffee, minimize wastages of anything that you use. This will be useful to you in the long run.
9. Control your tongue and diet - do not overeat! Avoid drugs - take herbal medicines if need be.
10. Chant divine naamas or slokams as often as you can. Write naamas like 'Rama' on a note book - you may think it is a waste of time. It is better to do this rather than be idle and brood over useless things.
If you are already in the sixties or seventies, you are incredibly lucky. Think and act in a mature way.
After all, how many of us really have the chance to live those “bonus” years with a gracious acceptance of the aging process? Count your blessings and feel good about it.
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