living the world of hers; contradictions

growing old with love and confidence

Does growing old scare you? Do you have a vision of homes for the elderly and worry that you might end up there, alone and helpless? Do you fear loss of control and being dependent on your children?

Those are all very "natural" questions most of us ask ourselves as we enter our middle age period. Maybe you're acquainted with nursing homes filled with people who are just like you think you will be. Maybe you are listening to others talk about their aches and pains and how it only gets worse.

But old age is not all about wasting away. Think about elderly folk you've encountered who are healthy and active, who look good and feel good. How can you also work towards a meaningful and vibrant old age?

If you're going to make your older years happy and fruitful ones, then you'd better start now. The average life expectancy of Singaporeans is 82. No matter what you thought in the past, chances are you're going to be around for a long time. So why not take control now so your coming years will be worth growing into?

Remember this: You grow into what you are thinking now. The more you imagine that your old age is doomed to be sickly and pointless, the less you're going to care about how to prevent it. As a result, you spend less time investing in relationships, tend to spend whatever you have, and are less inclined to save.

So get rid of that notion of elderly people wasting away in nursing homes. There are plenty of very productive older people out there living, being, making their dreams come true. They aren't saying "I wish I had died the minute I turned old".

Instead, think about the kind of person you want to grow into. How would you like to spend your final years?

Cultivate a skill that will a source of joy, and even better, also a source of income, as you grow older. Invest in your friendships. Your friends are likely to be the only ones who will grow old with you, and be able to relate to you and share memories with you in your later years. Invest in a savings plan. If you're averse to saving, just think of it as a monthly donation to charity - your charity. After all, you're going to need that money after retirement. Stay active and healthy. Take the time and effort to invest in a healthy diet and a fitness regime. It's amazing how these little things add up to create a happier and healthier old age. And cultivate a spirit of learning. The heart that continues to be curious will never grow old.

posted by JL @ 1:42 PM