Is “old” an age or an attitude?
In a society obsessed with youthfulness and staying young, ‘old’ can feel like a dirty word.
Rather than just a simple adjective, ‘old’ has come to represent something much more than your age, and is often used as a shorthand for a certain attitude or limited worldview.
Our perceptions of ageing and old age change as we get older – at the age of 25, retirement age feels old, while those in retirement often report feeling much as they did when they were 25!
Which begs the question – is “old” an age or an attitude?
Can you avoid being old even when you’re getting on in years, or is the process of growing old a natural part of life that can’t be avoided?
How do our perceptions of being old and ageing change at each stage in our lives?
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Don't worry.. smiles Sandy
Exciting developments and research of the brain have found that Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life is evident.
Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.
Having a curious mind, interested in all things and trying not to worry about everything too much. Having a sense of humour and the ability to laugh easily all helps to stave off the ravages of age, for a while at least.
It's all in the mind as they say!
I fell off my cycle, the view of the bush I landed in is unforgettable.
Its a true saying that how you look on the outside does not reflect how you feel on the inside...
Age is a frame of mind..
To me, I'm still fifteen inside. I might not be able to go out and play on the swings any more, but my memories of what it was like are with me still, and I can still feel myself beaming high, and jumping off,trying hard not to get hit by the swing !
I am still full of life inside, and if the wrinkles and greying hair say otherwise too bad.
Sadly, Society has lost respect for it's elders. But just remember all you younsters,if you don't die first, you too will age.
When I look in the mirror nowadays, and see an old lady (71) my husband tells me that my mind and attitude are about 20 years younger. That's what husbands should be saying, mind you......
"Old" age is an attitude
He was a tough old bird, ship's master in the Merchant Navy, Antique dealer, alcoholic and chain smoker. But at around 45 he began to behave old. I can't now say just how, but he did. He did spend much more time away from people, working in his workshop which would be called a man cave these days. I suppose he became a recluse, leaving business to his partners.
My mother and I felt he was giving up which, in the end he did.
In contrast, at 45 I was being divorced. Three years later married again and two years after that a grand child was born into our house, quickly followed by another. For one with no experience of kids that was a baptism of fire! We ended up raising them for 12 years, not an experience I would wish to repeat.
I'm now 66, have a chronically ill wife, 3 Border Collies and today have fitted a new toilet pan and cistern. Later I'll cook dinner and then snooze quietly for half an hour before opening the canine canteen.
For some years I worked in the care industry, specialising in geriatric care. A couple of people from that time stand out.
One lady, an 86 year old whose husband, sadly then stricken with advanced Parkinsons, was quite nimble. She devoured the Times and Telegraph every day. Instead of getting a couple of hours off in the afternoon I found myself in deep, so well informed, discussion of politics, foreign policy and breaking news stories. All that and I hadn't had time to read the same papers!
In contrast, another chap had been a hydrologist during the War working directly under Churchill. Although quite fit and able in his mid 80's his mind remained in those War years. Difficult man to deal with.
Through experience I think the weight of answer to the question must go to attitude. That means age becomes a number.
While my wife and I can get about, by whatever means, comprehend the days news and see it as a development in a stream of events; while we may hold a reasoned conversation about the times in which we all live, our faith or an event that has hit the headlines then we haven't yet reached our dotage.
I've also cared for dementia patients. Those who refuse to accept their increasing limitations and get angry sink faster. But those who embrace each day they have feel joy and celebrate that day.
I'd like to be just that. Accept what is and celebrate each day I have.
Attitude keeps you young .... even so I look at myself and think where have the years gone so am aware of aging ... it is the spirit which rules ... it is true not everyone has a strong spirit.
I worked in care so saw many levels of aging ... bless
Spring this year we put in a complete new kitchen. My nearly son-in-law, a good worker and fit chap, was working with me. After six hours he downed tools and declared he was going home. 'I can't keep up with you, mate, your work rate is too high.' Now retired, I know I may push hard for a few days and then rest for a day.
Alternating expending energy with rest. At 66 I find that is the secret. Fitted a new toilet suite today, so tomorrow I'll take it easy. These days I throw sticks for my Collies rather than chase them; no longer do I swim in the river with them. I miss that, Collies are such good fun when we swim together.
I'm not ashamed to lie in the morning, or retire early. My body is getting older, even if I don't agree with it, so it makes sense to pay attention to it's needs.
My Blue Merle, now 98 in human terms, is a lean long legged Collie, way back bred for upland regions. At 2 chased a Roe Deer down the river bank and he was just yards from bringing it down. He's a ferocious beast. Oh what a feast that would have been!
These days he's still long legged but carries just a little bit of weight. Bright as a button. He still swims, chases sticks but is now somewhat slower. I delight in seeing him run, a supreme athlete now grown a little old. Whilst I was never an athlete (at 5 foot three, no chance!), we have, none the less, grown older together.
He still herds chickens and teen aged grand kids; a true disciplinarian. A well maintained Collie may last 25 years - I've known one to reach that age. Hopefully, we'll grow old together. I'd like that.
I suppose, on reflection, we measure our decrepitude against each other, not ever letting the other get an edge. Good for both of us.
I can look at all those poor folks standing at bus stops waiting to start a full days work,and pitying them knowing that they probably have another 40 years of toil. I feel grateful to have lived long enough to enjoy my retirement.
I have seen some of my wishes come true. I wear my wrinkles with pride, and cannot see how people like Cher can really enjoy life--trying to look ,and act forty years younger than they are.Can they ever go home, and slump into a chair with battered slippers on their feet?