You are not old ... just older

I have heard this many time … “I am old already” … in many conversations with those who are around my age, some much older and some who are in their 40s or even 30s.

Now, I want to ask … what makes you say you are old? At what age when you are considered old?

I am not sure if there is a global standard that uses age to classify people under the “old category” … in Malaysia, we classify people as “senior citizen” when they reached 60 years of age.

The next question is … does “senior citizen” means old? Some say yes … others might not agree.

Yes, everyone gets older, nothing can change that … don’t be fooled by those “anti-aging” or “age reversal” advertising slogans. You cannot reverse the law of nature … period.

People tends to say that they are old or they feel old when they are unable to do the things that they used to do … especially the physical things. We are not superhumans or immortals … as we aged, we will lose some of our physical abilities and mental abilities too.

Does it mean that if someone don’t have the physical ability to do certain things that he or she used to do, then he or she is considered old?

For those who may not be able to run a marathon anymore, maybe they can still walk in the forest or in a park. It is OK if one cannot play football or basketball … hey, you can still swing a golf club, hit a shuttle or bat a ping pong ball on a table.

There will be a time when you won’t be able to engage in energetic physical activities … but then, there are always less strenuous activities like tai chi, qigong and other forms of activity that one can learn. What about playing music, singing, photography, draw, paint, board or card games or internet games? And last but not least, one can read and write. All these can make your life a bit more interesting and a bit more meaningful … that is what I call “living a life”.

As you aged, you will have to adjust and change your lifestyle to do the things that are within your physical and mental capacities. As long as you are always active, able and willing to adapt or learn to keep yourself functional with things that you can do within your capabilities … yes, you will be older but I don’t think you will feel old.

One will feel old only when one gives up living a life. I am not sure about others but my opinion is that old is not to be defined by years. The way I see it … one will get older but not necessarily old.

Maybe next time, instead of saying … “I am old” … just say … “I am older”.