Make life interesting and active no matter how old you are

Like many other maxims, I have been exposed to this old and inspiring adage that age is just a number.

HT Image

However, I experienced this during my recent trip to America where I came across many people in their 80s and 90s living an active life.

Whenever I interacted with any of them, I never realised that I was talking to someone old. Thanks to their three core characteristics: Devotion to fitness, keeping oneself busy and having a positive mind set.

My uncle’s neighbour — Janet Honcoop’s (80) thoughts about life and old age were phenomenal. She often said it does not matter how old you are but remember that the show of life must go on and it is in our hands to make that happen.

Besides jogging, trekking and cycling, gardening keeps her busy. She is active in museums as a volunteer and believes that if one is not busy, life would be dull.

Seeing her lifestyle and attitude towards life, I could not stop myself from thinking that in India, very few older people would have the same zeal for life. Instead many of them give up being positive and active in their early 60s or 70s.

If senior citizens in America or other parts of the world can make their lives interesting and enthusiastic then why not in India?

So, let’s learn keep ourselves inspired and keep our spirits high even as we age.

Let’s direct our minds towards a positive direction as everything begins with the mind.

Most importantly, remember that giving up our enthusiasm for life is like switching off the lights of your life on your own.

(Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal.)