on aging

I wondered what is it about being old that makes it so unacceptable. People speak of the disinterest in thrill seeking as a loss. The physical deterioration can understandably be frightening. Yet discernment, acceptance, wisdom about life, can’t be gained without the passage of time. It is as if happiness is solely defined by being young, thin, good looking, and perhaps rich. Any deviation is negative and detrimental to your social standing. Even if you are happy with the difference, others are obligated to beat you into submission and make sure you are not accepted. It is as if there is no possible way of obtaining pleasure anymore, once we admit that we are old. When we are unwilling or unable to party all night and go bungy jumping, it is disclosed with reluctance and regret. As if we are ashamed of allowing the defeat, allow age conquer us. But why should it be a loss? Why can the change not be seen as gaining in maturity? There are activities which do not involve death defying feats and substances which are not mind altering, that brings pleasure. It seems to me, the widening of experience is an advantage. I guess getting older, things take longer to do. “Good things take time”. Taking pleasures in daily life - soaking up the warmth of the sun on the balcony, feeling the touch of gentle breeze pass my skin, horridly boring? Yet these are everyday part of life as well. I sometimes wonder what life may look like, if we take the time to take note of our senses and surroundings. May be today’s society is not willing to spend “time” anymore. It’s ironic that technology is aimed to make daily living easier, to free up time yet people are increasingly frugal to spend time for any body else, other than themselves. The caring and inclusion of the aged requires precisely that. People are more at ease at talking about death than at aging. Yet it is this stage of life that is lengthening. I wonder how people will cope. I wonder how I will cope.