Youth is the gift of nature but age is a work of art!
This quote by Polish poet Stanisław Jerzy Lec is a beautiful and profound reflection on the different stages of life. In the grand tapestry of life, youth is the dazzling thread woven by nature's hands, vibrant and full of promise. It's a time when the world stretches out before us like an uncharted canvas, waiting for us to splash it with our dreams and desires. Yet, as we journey through life, we discover that while youth may be nature's gift, age is the masterpiece we create. It's the transformation of raw potential into a work of art, shaped by the hands of experience and wisdom. It suggests that youth is a precious gift that we should cherish, but that age is also a time of great beauty and wisdom.
Youth is a time of endless possibilities. We are full of energy and enthusiasm, and we have the world at our feet. We are eager to explore and learn, and we are not afraid to take risks. We make mistakes, but we also learn from them. Youth, like a fresh spring bloom, is filled with the fragrance of unexplored possibilities. It's a time when energy and curiosity seem boundless, and the future is a horizon yet to be reached. The world appears as a playground, inviting us to explore, learn, and experience its wonders. Every day is an opportunity to discover something new, to make mistakes, and to grow. Youth is a time of great change. We are constantly growing and evolving. We are discovering who we are and what we want in life. We are making choices that will shape our future.
Dawning age, is a time of wisdom and reflection.
Alyson Richman once said,
“I often feel if it’s the curse of old age to feel young in your heart WHILE your body betrays you!”
We have learned from our experiences, and we have a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. We are more patient and less impulsive. We are more appreciative of the simple things in life. As the years accumulate, we begin to add layers to our canvas. We gather experiences, both good and bad, like strokes of paint on a canvas. These experiences shape our perspectives, deepen our understanding, and infuse our lives with richness and depth. We learn that resilience is born from adversity, and wisdom is nurtured through reflection. It's in the passage of time that we develop the ability to see the bigger picture, to appreciate the nuances of life's colours, and to understand that sometimes, it's the imperfections that make a masterpiece truly remarkable.
Age is a time of great beauty. We may have wrinkles and grey hair, but we also have a certain grace and dignity. We have lived a full life, and we have stories to tell. We are a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. We have built strong relationships with our family and friends. We have created a legacy that will live on after we are gone. However, there is a downside to it. Body functions start declining, mental faculties decline, friends and family members pass away and children move away to live their own lives. Loneliness is a huge epidemic among the elderly in the world. In India, about 10% of the population is accounted as senior citizens. These numbers are going to double by 2050 with increase access to healthcare & awareness among people. More and older people live alone now, as their spouses are no more and their children are living their own lives.
The era of joint family in India is on the decline. We all know that humans are social creatures, so this loneliness and isolation is very hard on us. They also start to feel irrelevant & feel they have no purpose or role in life! This causes depression, loneliness, mental & physical degradation. It is also hard on the children to take care of them, as they are earning and supporting their own family and paying for their parents’ medical expenses and care. The mid-life crisis strikes this population hard! Most seniors hate the thought of being a burden on their family & society!
As Sigmund Freud said, “If youth knew; if age could.” Aging is not always easy. It can be difficult to come to terms with our changing appearance and declining health. But it is important to remember that aging is a natural part of life. It is something that happens to everyone. Age is not the enemy of youth; it is the natural progression of it. Just as a fine wine matures with time, so do we. We move from the vivid hues of youth to the subtle, intricate shades of age. The laughter lines etched upon our faces are not signs of wear and tear but marks of a life well-lived, filled with laughter and tears, triumphs and tribulations. Each wrinkle tells a story, a testament to the experiences that have sculpted us into the unique individuals we are. The canvas of life is never truly complete; it is an ongoing masterpiece in progress. Age provides the palette of colours, the brushes, and the artist's hand, allowing us to refine and redefine ourselves continually. It's a time when we can give back to the world, sharing the wisdom we've accumulated and nurturing the seeds of youth in others. The art of aging is about accepting who we are and embracing our age. It is about making the most of the time we have left and living each day to the fullest. It is about finding beauty in the everyday and appreciating the simple things in life.
We can only draw on personal experiences of life to provide solutions. Hence, I immediately looked up to my Great-grandmother & both my Grandmothers to see what they are doing now… My great grandmother (Dodda Ajji) is 98. My paternal grandmother (Ajji) is 75 years old & my maternal grandmother (Mysoora) is 70 years old.
Here are my reflections on my various interactions with them:
1. A definite purpose makes aging graceful: “In old age, man is like an actor who is sitting in a theatre and watching their favorite roles performed by someone else.” - Magdalena Samozwaniec. Let’s not make our senior citizens feel as if their prime is past them…Let's give them a purpose. My Dodda Ajji is actively into agriculture, gardening & keeping Mother Earth green, even at this age.
2. Take up a hobby: Mysoora's son - my uncle, is in the US, with his family and her daughter - my mother, lives in Bangalore. My Grandfather was in the Indian Army, and my Grandmother is used to being an Army wife with many responsibilities. However, since he passed away, she found herself adrift & suffered from a bad case of the “Empty nest syndrome”! Along came Indifoods! She has always had a passion for food & loves cooking. We formalised this into a small business where she makes mouth-watering, healthy, preservative free recipes & spreads her love to youngsters staying away from home. This has given her a purpose, and keeps her busy, engaged, and most importantly, happy!
3. Interacting with them: They are not relics! They are treasure troves…of information, wisdom & simple world that went by. Interacting with them, Organising meet-ups, asking students to come and talk to them & socialise with them are good ways to nurture them. Story sessions, board games & puzzles are great ways to help them stay mentally active & alert. Ajji is a SUDOKU pro & loves to solve puzzles. Mysoora is a crossword & Anagram wiz.
4. Digital Literacy: We should take the effort to familiarise our senior generation with ways to stay digitally connected. This will engage & stimulate them intellectually. They can stay in touch with their families & feel part of the circle. They feel relevant & up-to-date with their world.
5. Being physically active: A sound body harbours a sound mind…Walks, yoga, laughter clubs, outdoor gyms- both my grandmothers are super active in these areas.
6. Giving back to community: Mysoora was always an active member of AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association). She worked with war-widows & gave them the confidence to move on with their lives. She is also very active in working with agriculturists & helping women from the backward community. She keeps traditional crafts like, knitting, crochet, embroidery alive & well! Come winter, no one in our family is short of warm clothes 😊
Ajji is an active member of clubs & is very vocal in advocating for education & self-reliance amongst women in the community. This also helps them to stay connected socially & not feel lonely.
7. Spirituality: Seeking & being associated with the greater purpose in life gives joy & solace to almost all human beings. More so when the ‘worldly’ responsibilities are less. Hence, this is the best time to read the scriptures & bring peace and tranquillity to the fast-paced hamster wheel we all are in. Organising events at their clubs, Geetha chanting competitions, celebrating festivals as a community - both my grandmothers are in their elements at the helm of such events!
Youth is a gift of nature, but age is a work of art. It is up to us to create a life that is beautiful and meaningful, regardless of our age. So, let's embrace the aging process and make the most of every moment. Aging is not about staying young forever, but about embracing the different stages of life and finding beauty in each one. It is about creating a masterpiece of a life. Youth is undoubtedly a gift of nature, while age is the culmination of a life well-lived, a work of art that we create with every passing year. It's a testament to our resilience, our growth, and our authenticity. As we embrace the passage of time, we become living, breathing masterpieces, each stroke of experience adding depth and beauty to our canvas. So, let us cherish our youth, but also embrace the artistry of aging, for it is in this journey that we discover the true masterpiece of our lives.