Do You Want to be a “Young” Senior Citizen

I WANT TO BE A “YOUNG” SENIOR CITIZEN

I am almost 60 years old – in a few days – on the 12th of September 2016 – it will be my 60th Birthday – and – I will enter the 61st year of my life.

Am I old...? 

Or – am I young?

Well – you may say that I am old – but – I still feel that I am a young boy. 

You may not agree with me – but – I feel that it is better to be “immature” rather than “mature” 

There is a saying:

“YOU ARE AS OLD AS YOU FEEL” 

That is why there are “young senior citizens” and “old senior citizens”

Soon – I will be officially a Senior Citizen. 

Surely – I would like to be a “young senior citizen”. 

How about you...?

Here is a piece I wrote around 6 years ago in my blog on the subject titled HOW TO REMAIN YOUNG AND YOUTHFUL FOREVER

Do tell me if you like it - I look forward to your comments. 

And hey – don’t forget to wish me a Happy Birthday on the 12th of September when I cross the threshold of senior citizenship.

HOW TO BE A “YOUNG” SENIOR CITIZEN 

The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Formula

Zest for Living and Passion for Learning
By
VIKRAM KARVE 

Part 1 – DO WANT TO BE A “YOUNG” SENIOR CITIZEN...?

There are a number of retired senior citizens in the colony where I live in Pune. 

Yes – there are still large numbers of pensioners living all over Pune – though Pune is no longer a pensioners’ paradise.

I have noticed one intriguing thing. 

Though most are of these persons are of the same chronological age – some are “young” – and – some are “old”

Yes – some senior citizens appear young – and – some seem old.

Ater all – your age is what you feel. 

Part 2 – ANTI AGEING FORMULA

By observing senior citizens for many years I have discovered this “anti ageing formula” for remaining young: 

ZEST FOR LIVING and PASSION FOR LEARNING is the best “anti-ageing recipe” that keeps you young forever.

This is the true elixir of life.

Look around you – and you will see what I mean. 

There are many “oldie-goldies” who are living life to the fullest and are always eager to learn new things.

On the other hand – there are many old people who have no “juice” left in them – as seem to have lost the spirit to enjoy learning – and do not have the enthusiasm to relish the pleasures of life to their utmost.

I know a “young” senior citizen who – after retirement from the Army – started learning classical music from the scratch.

He enjoyed studying for 10 years till he completed his sangeet alankar.

He lived life to the fullest in true epicurean style – good food, music, concerts, plays, movies, travel, tourism, picnics, swimming, trekking, playing with his dogs, social work etc.

You name it – he did it. 

This young-at-heart senior citizen lived a delightfully active life – he loved the company of youngsters and he had the enthusiasm and energy of a child.

Even in his late 70’s he seemed “younger” than those senior citizens who were chronologically many years his junior.

His zest for life and passion for knowledge that kept him healthy, happy and youthful.

When he passed away nearing the age 80 – I am sure he was still feeling “young”. 

Nowadays – technology has made it easier for senior citizens to remain “young”

With the proliferation of internet and smartphones – you can enjoy moments exploring the mysteries of the web, learning new things and latest technologies.

You can actively blog with passionate fervour.

You can engage with with gusto in all sorts of learning activites, creative writing, surfing, social networking, making virtual friends, teaching music.

Yes – you can experience the truism: “variety is the spice of life”... 

Remember – you are as old as you feel – not as old as you look – and certainly not as “old” as your chronologically age says you are. 

It is in your hands to forever remain a “young” senior citizen.

I will end this part with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:

Live as if you are going to die tomorrow

Learn as if you are going to live forever

It is breathtakingly simple to remain young forever. 

It is all in the mind.

Part 3 – HOW TO FEEL YOUNG AND YOUTHFUL 

For feeling youthful and yound – it is your “mental age” that matters – and – you should feel “mentally young” even if you are “physically old”.

Here are some tips on how to feel mental young and forget your chronological age.  

1. SPEND TIME IN THE COMPANY OF YOUNG HAPPY PEOPLE

It is better to spend your time with cheerful younsters – who are enjoying life in the present. 

Why make yourself miserable in the company of pessimistic, gloomy, cynical “old-fogies” – who keep living in the past – carping and complaining about the present – and – speculating and worrying about the future. 

In today’s world – if your children (and youngsters of the next generation) have migrated abroad – or – live elsewhere – you may not have younsters around you.

In such cases – the best substitute is to have young online friends in the virtual world – so why not interact with young people on the internet – by being active on the Social Media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/WhatsApp etc) – and – engaging in activities like Blogging etc.

Of course – face-to-face relationships are better – but when these are not feasible – the best alternative is to have good online relationships. 

Also – many online friendships with youngsters may transform into offline interactions – and – you can have enjoyable meets with youngsters with common interests like food, literature, blogging etc.

I love attending blogger meets and literary fests where I can interact with my online friends. 

I boast to my wife that in my “old age” – I have more “girlfriends” than I had in my younger days – of course – now – all my “girlfriends” are “online girlfriends”... 

At my age – it is difficult for me to have young “offline girlfriends”. 

Also – many of my “online girlfriends” are quite hesitant to come out with me on “offline dates”.

Maybe – the young girls feel embarassed to be seen in public dating an “old fogie” like me – and they feel more comfortable having an online “friendship” with me. 

But – that doesn’t matter. 

Even interacting with youngsters on the social media makes you feel young and cheerful.

Teaching and mentoring youngsters (never give unsolicited advice or moral lectures) – offline and online – is rewarding and good too – I love to teach – as I enjoy the company of cheerful motivated young students and this keeps me young and enthisuastic about learning too.

2. GET A PET DOG 

Another useful anti-aging technique is to get a pet dog and enjoy playing with your dog. 

Pet parenting and your pet dog's antics and will keep you happily occupied, cheerful and healthy, besides ensuring regular exercise as your pet dog will ensure you take him out on walks at least twice a day. 

There is nothing more joyful than playing with your dog and talking to him. 

A dog always remains young at heart, and if you play and talk to your dog, you too will remain young at heart.

Playing with my dog Sherry made me feel really young and energetic. 

A dog will bring out the child in you. 

A pet will keep you active, happy, young and youthful. 

(Sadly – my pet dog Sherry passed away one and a half years ago. She had really kept me mentally young and physically fit)

3. RE-DISCOVER YOUR “CHILDLIKE ENTHUSIASM” 

Get rid of the “Auld Lang Syne” complex. 

Stop reminiscing about the “good old days”.

Start living it up every day doing whatever you like with zest and a passion to learn new things like Blogging, Tweeting, Social Networking – making real friends and virtual friends with common interests and passions – exploring the mysteries internet and enjoying the benefits of information technology. 

Yes – keeping yourself uptodate and abreast of the latest technologies keeps you mentally stimulated. 

Use technology effectively to keep young – you must have the latest smartphone, good laptop and modern gadgets. 

You must Blog – you must Tweet – you must engage on WhatsApp – you must upload pictures on Instagram – and – you must be active on Social Networking sites like Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn etc.

4. RE-DISCOVER YOUR YOUTHFUL ROMANTIC MISCHIEVOUS SIDE

Become “naughty” once again.

Have fun and discover the beauty and romance of life. 

Why not harmlessfly flirt a bit...? 

Remember that the moment you stop appreciating and being attracted to beauty – you have become “old” – and life is not worth living. 

Yes – there is a saying that – the day you lose interest in good food and stop appreciating beautiful women (or handsome men) – you become an old man (woman).

5. LEARN NEW THINGS, DEVELOP NEW HOBBIES AND NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE INTERESTS

Try to have a positive attitude and optimistic temperament – keep learning new things – nurture your creative interests, hobbies – exercise, play games/ports, travel, eat out, see movies – do whatever you enjoy doing and have a ball.

Explore your creative side. 

Discovering new aspects of your creativity – and passionately nurturing your talents/interests – it works wonders for your health and happiness.

Keep learning new things – imbibe the latest technologies – and avoid becoming obsolescent or obsolete.

6. TRY TO BE IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF “POSITIVE VIBES”

Try your best to be in an environment of feel-good happy “Positive Vibes”.

Avoid people, places and activities which generate “Negative Vibes” in you. 

Do not waste your time reminiscing and regretting the past – or – speculating and worrying about the future. 

In fact – never think of the past or future.

You must live in the present – one day at a time – and – think only of TODAY.

And – most importantly – you must ensure that the present moment is a happy one

For this – positive “vibes” are the key to making you feel good, cheerful and happy, here and now. 

ANTI-AGEING FORMULA IN A NUTSHELL

To sum up – if you want to remain young and youthful forever – all you have got to do is that  – you must have a ZEST FOR LIVING and PASSION FOR LEARNING

First thing in the morning – the moment you get up – recite your new Art of Living Motto:

“Live as if you are going to die tomorrow – Learn as if you are going to live forever...”

Dear Reader: I wish you eternal youth – may you remain young forever with a Zest for Living and a Passion for Learning.

(Well – I am trying my best to practice what I preach – and – I am sure you will try too)

So Cheer Up and Live it Up...!!! 

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views. Please do your own due diligence while applying these tips.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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This is a updated and revised repost of my article FOREVER YOUNG written by me 6 years ago IN 2010 and posted by me Vikram Karve online earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/12/forever-young-tried-and-tested-anti.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/12/how-to-feel-young.html  and http://creative.sulekha.com/old-in-age-but-young-at-heart_541304_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/04/how-to-be-young-senior-citizen-anti.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/birthday-blog-how-to-feel-young-and.html