“Life truly begins once you’re 60”. An infamous saying but yet there still exists a stigma that growing old is but a terrible feat. Contrary to stereotypes, growing old can be a vibrant and fulfilling phase of life. Embracing age offers wisdom, new adventures, and opportunities for personal growth, debunking age-related stigmas. Join us in exploring the not so disadvantageous part of our life and also do check out our recommendations and contest crafted just for you!
Aging Gracefully
It was a day of frustration for my grandfather. He was in the kitchen, holding pieces of his new smartphone that he could not put back together.
“It makes me mad,” he said, speaking about what his life had come to. “I want to go.”
But flip the perspective, and it was another day in a long and rich life. Mr. Paul, who had made a career as a social worker, was living independently in his own home, amid the furniture and decor he had carefully chosen himself, and amid memories of the woman who had shared his life there. He had music that could still take his breath away, and old movies that never failed to entertain. If his capacities had diminished, they had narrowed to activities that gave him satisfaction. Even in near blindness, he inhabited a mansion of visual memories.
Putting back the pieces and thinking about how life had come full circle I said “Thatha, give up on distractions that make us do stupid things and instead focus on what’s important to you. Don’t worry about things that might happen, worry when it happens, and even then, don’t worry. At whatever age we are, we can choose to adapt to whatever happens. We have influence over whether we let things knock us out.”
“I’ve had a good life, I already know that if and when my physical abilities become further curtailed, I can still enjoy meaningful conversations with you, who is all-too-quickly becoming a young woman. You may know how to reset my cell phone or find hidden channels on my television, but I can help you put their life experiences in perspective and support a decision to leave your comfort zone and take risks that offer growth potential,” he said in the kitchen, retrieving a moment that was more vivid to him than the recent past.
We then talked unflinchingly about death and loss, but also about love and connection, about accomplishment and meaning. I look up to this man in so many ways and remember him ever so fondly now. We have this idea of ‘successful aging’: don’t get sick, stay active, keep in touch with your friends. But eventually, that’s not always possible. Even when physical decline and losses restrict one’s options, there remains the capacity to appreciate and approach each day with a sense of purpose. “It’s all about how you frame what you have.”
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Quote
“I know these will all be stories some day, and our pictures will become old photographs. We all become somebody's mom or dad. But right now, these moments are not stories. This is happening. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive. And you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song, and that drive with the people who you love most in the world. And in this moment, I swear, we are infinite. “
-Stephen Chbosky, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
Weekend Wind-Downs
TED Ed
Human bodies aren’t built for extreme aging. Our life span is limited to about 90 years. But aging can have various meanings, physical or mental. This video talks about 9 physiological traits that play a central role in aging. Watch this video about the subconscious factors of aging to know more!
Song
Not every song brings a nostalgic feeling when u listen but ,"THE NIGHTS" by Avicii is that song you want to listen to when you think about life, about growing old and making the most of it, while you still can. The song tells the listener to let go of the fear and to do what your young wild heart says so that one day when you reflect back all you see is those nights.
Thanks for reading! See you again in another two weeks! :D
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Ishaan, Katharine Kennedy - Editors
Diya Victor - Writer - Aging Gracefully
Tanush A - Designer - Main Article Design
Karan Adam, Siva Kumaran - Designers - “Those were the days” Banner Design
Chinmay - Designer - Movie/TV Show Contest
Vatsala Budur - Writer - Quote
Pooja Sriram - Writer - TED Ed Recommendation
Ryan Terrence - Writer - Song Recommendation
great piece!