The Journey of Rediscovery.
Living is an art. A kind of skill, a technique. Few people understand it in the span of human history. The need is to learn and practice the technique of living. Knowledge trains you to think for yourself, to analyze, investigate and realize the quintessence of life.
With the onset of a new year, new concepts, new fashions, new lifestyles are unfolding to produce something unpredictable, something one had never ever thought of. The concept of age which has changed its meaning completely. According to a famous fashion designer, “Being 40 today is what 30 used to be, and 50 is the new 40.” Men in their 40s are echoing new lifestyles with extended adolescence, hedonism and well manicured manners. Women touching the Four-o have never looked better. It is a moment when age is redefined. The word “Middle-Age” has lost its meaning. The concept of growing old is only in the mind. At 40, one is personally more confident and knows where he/she is going in life. They are extending the 30s mentally, physically and emotionally.
We are moving towards a forever young, ageless society, which is made easier with the scientific advances made over the decade, to help slow down or mask the aging process. The psychological benefits of 40-going-on-30 are tremendous. People see the 40s as a new beginning, a second chance to live. People not only try to look young, but also like to feel young. A leading cosmetic surgeon in New Delhi
Though the psychological state changes completely, life faces a somersault from incessant activity to enforced leisure. At this stage one needs to expand the size of the world in which they live. Life at this stage is at its matured state. But, it is essential that one matures gracefully with conscious effort. The raw innocence, the childish curiosity, arrogance and superficial attitudes are looked back as the thing of the past. A person becomes more practical and understands life better. At the same time life seems to be approaching the stagnating path. The fear of the years ahead haunts us, especially when we are idle, have nothing on hand to do. There is the fear of the unknown, the reluctance to break out of the moulded life we have lead till then. Even the small everyday changes appear burdensome and unsetting.
The irony here is that this very ‘process of change’ has the potential of combating age and enhancing the quality of one’s life. It leads to change the mindset, to a journey of rediscovery and self-growth.
Those who dare to accept change, call it a day break, a new dawn of opportunities when the usual burdens and responsibilities of life have been dealt with. They dare to learn new skills that make them more independent, embark on second careers and bring fulfillment to their otherwise blurred out life. As a Roman poet Ovid writes, “Everything flows onwards, All things are brought into being with a changing nature, the ages themselves glide by in constant movement.” Therefore, one needs to go with the flow.
One way of changing is by taking up the process of learning. Learning provides with an identity. Once this identity is realized, the need is to move beyond the self. Education is power and power should be your source of service. Education is the process of self-articulation. Educating does not mean only to achieve academic degrees, it is an upgradation process. It can be in any subject, hobby, social activity, religion, food technology, almost anything. The concept of adult education has revolutionized the society to an extent that even the rural areas are trying to run parallel to the external world.
The knowledge of computers, internet has opened up vast horizons for the homemakers. An increasing number of senior citizens are taking up to computers for a variety of reasons. Whether to pass time or as an alternative medium of communication, as a source of information or to gain a livelihood after retirement. People in their 60s, 70s and even 80s are taking up the challenge of learning new skills from scratch. And the internet connections have no match for the joy of escaping loneliness, for being able to be in touch with children, friends and relatives, and exploring the world sitting at home. Retired teachers and professors, who have spent their lifetime in teaching, are opting for graduation in their fields of interest, like learning foreign languages, psychology, nutrition, etc. For them educating is satiating their thirst for knowledge, that could not be gained in earlier years due to circumstances.
One can be 60, yet young at heart. The only need is to live life with passion. There are seven attributes in life, to mature gracefully. They are hidden in the word ‘Passion’
P --- Stands for purpose, meaning in life.
A --- Stands for acceptance of the self, unconditionally.
S --- Is being sensitive to others, being supportive.
S --- Is sharing your joys, sorrows, challenges.
I --- inclination to continuously discover, world and self.
O --- Omnipresence of faith in supernatural power.
N --- Negation of negativity.
One needs to focus on hope. Using time, experience, imagination when faced with challenges. Convert these challenges to opportunities.
“Every generation has the obligation to free men’s minds for a look at the new worlds, to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation. Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but by what your mind can imagine. Make your life count and the world will be a better place because you tried.”
------- Astronaut, Ellison Onizuka.
In the present time one needs to be alert and aware of the happenings around to acquire the maximum possible knowledge, to flow with the tide, to keep oneself abreast. A person with limited thoughts and knowledge, with negative approach and unwillingness to change, will only be marginalized. His scope for progress will be curbed. Life has become techno-savvy and the need is to keep ourselves capable enough to cope with it.
The beginning of all BIG things is small. The story of two seeds laying side by side in the fertile spring soil explains the concept very well. The first seed said, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts through the earth’s crust above me. I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners to announce the arrival of spring, I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the blessings of the morning dew on my petals.” And so it grew.
The second seed said, “I am afraid, if I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me, I may damage my delicate sprouts. What if I let my buds open and the snail tries to eat them? And if I were to open my blossoms, a small child may pull me from the ground. No, its much better for me to wait until it is safe.” And so it waited.
A yard hen scratching around in the early spring ground for food found the waiting seed and promptly ate it.
The thought here is that those of us who refuse to rise and grow get swallowed up by life.
Growth is the food for the brain. New thoughts, new ideas, give a purpose to live. It motivates life once again, with a completely different and new perspective. Growth of mind does not need age, physical attributes. It needs just an open receptive mind. Age is only in the mind and the mind reflects it on the body. It is the time to reflect positively as
Peter F. Drucker says,
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action?”
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