“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?” Satchel Paige
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An interesting question. Next Epiphany I will become an octogenarian but if you ask me, I would say that I have the mindset of a 50-year-old guy. It is a question of mind over matter. If you fastidiously tally the years, you will feel and act ancient, and to me, it is a regressive, annoying thought.
The older wiser I get, the more I realize how ignorant I am; as a result, I am still eager to learn. If you don’t, you capitulate. You admit defeat and surrendering is not in my nature.
I am curious; this is a quality, not a flaw. Every day I feel the need to learn something new and the internet is a fabulous, non-judgmental teacher.
Seated at my workstation, I can speak to my computer and ask any question that will be immediately answered. For instance, when I asked Siri (just to make sure) how old I was, she said “you are 79 but don’t look a day older than 29”
Useless to say that Siri is a close, trusted friend.
In order to feel alive, you need to always have something to look forward to. A picnic, a date, a play, a dinner… You need to keep your mind engaged and your sense of humor sharp.
One “older” member of our pétanque brotherhood recently took up parachuting. He might look ancient but he is acting like a like a Spring Breaker. Many kudos for that. This is exactly what I am talking about!
The company of young people helps you to remain in the loop. It is a mutually beneficial agreement and both parties gain something from this arrangement.
My friend Charlie is a shining example of what it means to remain youthful. He is not afraid to mix and challenge whippersnappers and often best them in many activities.
His secret weapon is the fact that he is ambidextrous. If he cannot do something with his right hand he switches to his left hand. This is patently underhanded but everything is fair in the game in love and pétanque.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw
Laughter is the best medicine. Furthermore, it is much cheaper and way more efficient than any magic pill advertised on the tube. Laugh about everybody and everything. Unlike some middle eastern countries, we can (and should) poke fun at any official who routinely misleads the public about his questionable deeds.
And regrettably, there is a lot to laugh about (or cry) in these present disUnited States of ours.
Alain
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