Grow old Gracefully- NO! I shall grow old to become Judi Dench :))

Judi Dench, Devanand, Sean Connery. Elizabeth Taylor. Jack Nichloson, Jane Fonda, Rekha

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Many a times I have heard and read comments of people stating that such and such person does not know how to grow old gracefully. 


What exactly does getting old mean from a science point of view ?

Body changes its physiological ability to look younger and taut- accepted. Researchers do not agree to the causes of aging. Some claim our genes are programmed to deteriorate, wither and die, while others believe accumulated damage is the root of our senescence. Muddying the waters further, many believe that a combination of several factors contributes to aging.


What exactly does getting old mean to society in general? 

The conditioned society has a label for everything and seems to fit everything in slot. Incredibly narrow way of looking at things.  A  pattern of how old people are expected to be- slower, not keen to compete, non sexual, vegetable, uninterested in outer physical appearance and even if there is an interest - one must dress like an old person with mellow colors, the mind must be docile, and one must not fuss too much- "you are old" so "you have no right to look or do things that young do". I was very surprised to read that one of the greatest discrimination in the world is against old people. Yes- not gender, not color, not race but oldness. 

He is too old to work - even if he may work better than younger people. 

He dresses in such bright colors.

She does not behave her age.

Why would an old person listen to rock?

Are you not ashamed to want to watch this - you are too old?

Please look after your grandchildren and stop partying, you are old.

Why do you need to meet friends?

This should be enough for you?

 "What do you expect at your age?" "You're not getting any younger!"

The  attitude of the society towards age depicts older adults to be infirm, sedentary and generally incapable of leading an active and exciting lifestyle.

What exactly does getting old mean to a person who may be getting wrinkled or graying hair changes in body? 

That person may  really not feel old at all - with any progressive outer change he/she may be a very young person in heart and mind. If everything is about body mind and heart alignment then it may seem right to think that if body shows sign of aging then the mind and heart too must behave differently. Why not that if everything is about alignment of body mind and heart then let not the body lead- let the heart lead...the mind and the body will follow. When an outer older person is young at heart then think this way that life and its challenges did not destroy him- he/she is a person to be looked up to as a role model.


So: 
Let no one tell how to age, let not anyone decide for you what you must fit into to grow old gracefully whatever this phrase means. You wear what you want to wear, do what you want to do, talk, laugh and go crazy. Live your life king size. It is your life. 

The mind must stay young, the heart must beat at all love songs, the smile must be spontaneous and the body must want to dance- do not get old in mind and heart and rest will follow. Have  your giggly secrets and joy and fun and stay in the mystery - in not too much control and in not fitting in. 

Don't fit in!