Young at Heart

Sometimes when I look in the mirror I get a shock, when I see the wrinkles. And then I pick up a photograph of when I was 25 and I still had wavy blonde hair and an unlined face. Back then my hair was so wavy it would make the girls seasick just looking at the waves. But I've lost all that now, haven't I? Not much left at all. It's not going to wave again, is it? Gone forever. I think age is in the body, not in the mind. We writher up and get wrinkles and all that kind of stuff but that is a part of life. And as far as I'm concerned, it's the heart that counts. I'm a nonagenarian now. It means you're in your 90s. Not many of us around. Mentally I don't feel 90, I don't feel old. I still feel as full of fun and life as when I was 25. Eventually I'll have to give up living in my house when I can no longer cope and I'll move into the local old age home, buy myself one of these walking frames and chase little old ladies down the corridor. Bring a bit of excitement into their lives. Although they might not see it that way... they might be petrified. If you want to be old you can be old... and if you fight a bit you can carry on much longer. It's your approach to life. Doesn't mean that you haven't sometimes got aches and pains, that's for sure... getting stiff or can't touch your toes so easily. Can't get your socks on, that's the main thing, early in the morning. But other than that it's all in the mind. It's not big things in life that make you happy. It's to be able to see the beauty in the small things. And I can see the beauty around me... I've still got my eyes... and I've still got my ears to hear music and I can still read. And I've still got lovely people around me. We should all be thankful that we are able to walk and talk and laugh and dance and do all these wonderful things. And it doesn't matter if it's a bit slower or a bit more sedate or not up to modern standards... so what. I've got to live my life to the best of my ability. I don't see myself as being a guru or giving advice to anyone on how they should live their lives. We've all got to find our own path in life and follow it. Mine has led through the woods. It was an outdoor life in nature. I resonate with it I suppose... it's what I want... what I've always wanted. It brings great joy. You're surrounded by life in all its forms... animals, birds, insects, plants, trees. There's a regeneration of life taking place the whole time. In the woods is perpetual youth and maybe being in the woods has kept me perpetually young. I'd like to think so. I think there's no secret to life... I just think, don't put life in a box. There's no rules. It's what you make with life. While you're there, make the best of it. And the best of it is definately not sitting back. I've got so much to go on with and to be a challenge, and to take that challenge - why do you sit back? Do you see the beauty in it or do you just exist? Be careful to just exist... that's dangerous. And if you haven't led a full and happy life, to me that would be sad. You'd be missing out so much on life. Every day I find brings a new challenge or something interesting or exciting. So I'm never dull or bored or anything like that. So maybe that's what keeps me going. People must live for today... carpe diem. The secret to a good life is to enjoy every day as it comes. Take advantage of every moment, and particularly as you get on in life. I do need my Snoopy glasses because my contact lenses dry out in the wind. But when it's just a short distance I don't bother because I look like Snoopy then. You know, as you get older you've got little time left so get your bucket list operating and do it. Do whatever it is that you haven't done that you'd like to. It's like the South Pacific song: 'If you don't have a dream, how can a dream come true?' A good life is your choice. You make it what it is. Enthusiasm is an important part of life. People can't get anything done unless they are enthusiastic about it. Might as well not try, not start at all, why bother. Nothing ventured, nothing gained... isn't that so? Well, I still enjoy life to the full... optimistic, looking forward, sense of fun. If we were all cheerful in this world, would it make a difference? If we could all go around smiling and being happy? A celebration of life... that's what it's all about. Go for life... there's enough time when you're not there anymore. Go for it while you are there. Be alive.

Channel: Green Renaissance

Views: 71,196

Rating: 4.9883232 out of 5

Keywords: green renaissance, inspiration, ideas, sharing, south africa, cape town, hermanus, young, age, retirement, old age, optimism, optimistic, happy, upbeat, positive, funny, laugh, friends, family, covid, animals, cow, dog, mountain, hiking, walking, meditate, mindful, artlist, patreon, music, piano, outdoors, active, exercise, fit, healthy, young at heart

Id: IETdHwZlXYw

Length: 10min 14sec (614 seconds)

Published: Wed Jul 29 2020