Getting old too soon & wise too late

Normally aging is a gradual continuous process of natural change. Chronological age is the amount of time that has elapsed from birth to a given date and is the main way of defining age.

Not knowing how to live is a disastrous way to live. Growing older gracefully can become meaningful if you know what it means and how it matters to keep your biological ageing in a better count. Biological age tests determine how old your physical body is in contrast with your calendar age. What is being referred here is to consider not only the time elapsed, but also a number of different biological and physiological developmental factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, nutrition and comorbidities. With some caution ageing can experience extra years of life in good health; living in a supportive environment, maintaining healthy behaviours throughout life, particularly eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity and refraining from excessive tobacco/drinks. Besides your biological aging watch your psychological aging which relates to changes in the brain and in some cases, underlying psychological issues or changes in cognitive capabilities that could affect problem-solving, emotions, and subjective reactions to situations. Lastly the social aging refers to how social habits and behaviours change over time. It also includes the individual’s role in relation to society as a whole and people in his or her age group.

Inside every ageing person there is a young person wondering what happened and among them some wandering to stay young ;– from hair colors to micro laser peels, exercising various treatments wrinkle free, age spots, skin brightening etc. I too indulged in dyeing my beard for some time until I realized ageing is a privilege denied to many and here I am the fortunate, so why regret growing older. Let’s understand it is not about how old you are, it is how you are old. A great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all other ages and if all ages were lived wisely, as adults one can enjoy numerous positive outcomes, well-being with greater capacity to cope, social support and opportunities to participate in society.

In 1960 average life expectancy in India was 41.42. Living Indians especially those who see nothing good about India, enjoy conditions of life expectancy 70.19 documented for 2022. Ageing should not be viewed as something to be fought off or looked upon as a threat to one’s sense of self-worth and quality of life. The youth today will be part of an older population someday and undoubtedly will desire to age well. In which case they need to plan, participate and build infrastructures to manage older population. The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) is a nice read, but it is important at the micro levels of families and communities we exercise concerted efforts to reduce health inequities with person-centered integrated care and have primary health services under easy access and quality long term care.

Lastly conscious holding on to ones’ religion & spirituality helps ageing grow into a deeper kind of beauty, one which works its way from the inside and its knowing of a truth which Gurbani teaches.

“What do I know? How will I die? What sort of death will it be?

If I do not forget the Lord Master from my mind, then my death will be easy.

The world is terrified of death; everyone longs to live.

By Guru's Grace, one who dies while yet alive understands the Lord's Will.

O Nanak, one who dies such a death, lives forever”. SGGS555

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To view Gurbani Shabads quoted in article click link