Good Advice To All Seniors Above Fifty

Although life is a continuous journey, we live life in stages. Our thoughts, perceptions, ideals, actions, likes and dislikes, love and fear, dreams, and what else, change with the passage of time. Those thoughts and ideals when we were young, were different from what we are thinking now. I am referring to people of my age group; those above 50. This article is about good advice to all seniors above fifty. I think this is most appropriate for those above 60.

The advice given here was supposed to be a translation from a Chinese source, titled “Good advice to all seniors above fifty”. My belief is that good advices to life are universal which transcend race, culture and political boundaries. I am past my sixty and I know for certain my thoughts, attitudes, love and fear are all very different from when I was young.

“All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.”

The above famous quote is from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”. It is one of my favourite quotes. I like it because Shakespeare was helping us to see the truth in life. All of us know about aging, but most people either turn a blind eye to this fact, or just like to ignore this ugly truth. When we are young, we are strong and independent; but the time will come when we reach the final stages in life. If we are lucky, we die of old age and without any physical dependence on others. If we are not that lucky, we will be dependent on others even to perform the simplest routine tasks in life. We may be able to a certain extent make effort to maintain our health throughout our years. In fact I have written an article on this, titled “How To Stay Healthy For People Over 50”. But let’s face it, we cannot fully control what will become of us come our final twilight years. So it may be wiser for us to take heed of these time-tested pearls of wisdom.

These are the pearls of wisdom translated from the Chinese source, with my own addition and editing.

It is most important that we are financially independent. For those who are very fortunate to have truly loving and caring children who contribute financially, thank your lucky stars. Although we must live within our means, we need to face the fact that we don’t have many years to live. So give space to indulge in some enjoyment. Buy the things you always wanted, enjoy those foods that you crave for, but be careful not to overindulge in the unhealthy ones, and go see places around the world. I am also guilty on this advice, especially taking vacations. I have resolved that by next year (2015) when I reach 65, I must embark on my journey to see the world, no matter what. Yes, no matter what; for I don’t have much time left. Past 65, health is critical. Anything can happen.

Handle your financial affairs prudently. Spend your money and enjoy your life. Do not be a miser to keep on accumulating all the money. Donate to charity if you can afford to. You may not know for sure whether your children and grandchildren are eagerly waiting for you to die sooner, just to grab all the monies left by you.

Do not worry about what will happen when you die. For when you die, that is the end. You are not to know what will happen, and whatever happened has nothing to do with you anymore, for you are gone forever. Do not worry about your children’s future when you are gone. Live in the now, live in the present. Whatever you can do for your children, do them now. Love them and care for them now. Don’t take their problems to your grave. Don’t be the slave of your children.

Be careful with your relationship with your children, as years go by. When your children have grown up, and when you are getting old and tired, your children’s attitude towards you may come as a rude shock to you. Do not expect too much from your children, as they too have their own commitments to their families. Then there will not be too much of a disappointment. Uncaring children may fight over your assets even while you are still alive. Remember, your children may think that they are the rightful inheritors of your wealth, but you have no claim to their assets.

Know when you can stop working. The rest of your life can be lived peacefully, healthily and happily. Remember, money cannot buy back your health and your years. Sufficient money is very important, but too much money and assets will bear you down with worry.

Do not compare your life with others. Every family has its own problems. As long as you have enough money, and good health, that is good enough. At any one time, you can only sleep on one bed, live in one house, drive one car, and eat that much food.

Do not depend on others for happiness nor wait for the right conditions to be happy. You must develop your own happiness and peace of mind. Each remaining day is very precious. Make effort to be cheerful, happy and healthy. A cheerful and happy mind will enhance a healthy body.

Make sure you maintain the three pillars of good health, namely, healthy nutrition, regular exercise and peace of mind. Then each day will be a happy and healthy day.

Try to associate with your faithful friends and social groups. They make your life more worthwhile, more meaningful and more fruitful.

Remember, life is not merely working and worrying from cradle to grave. Life must be lived with peace and happiness, knowing that you have done your best and have not harmed anyone. If you had harmed others, take stock and make amends. It is time you must feel remorse and ask for forgiveness. Likewise, forgive others who had done you injustice. If you cannot forgive, then at least let go of all your negative and hateful thoughts against them, for negative and hateful thoughts are mental poisons that will eventually make you very sick and will kill you prematurely. Let go, lighten your burden, and live happily and peacefully. Enjoy your life here and now!

May I conclude with my favorite “Serenity Prayer”:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.”

As we grow older, we should also try to be a bit wiser. It is now time for us to accept those things that we cannot change anymore. As for those that we can still change, let us try our best to help change them. But most important of all, let us be wise enough to be able to discern the difference. Then we will live our remaining years in peace and happiness.

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