Page 4 - ISI_162_JuneJuly

Inspiration
PAGE 4 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT • JUNE / JULY 2020
Let Us Never Know Old Age
Tomes may have been written and published on happiness and aging; however, the connection between
happiness and aging is a purely personal one, joined within one’s self. © Photosvit, Bigstock.com.
Now, in our “days of ripening,” we
BY NOAH LEVIA may muse upon bygone ones—relieved
that former fights have been fought, not
(SENIOR WIRE) Decimius Magnus Ausonius to be fought again; past pains endured, not
was a Roman poet who lived from 310 to to hurt again; and desired achievements
395. His quote is as poignant today as it was accomplished, to be long treasured.
almost two millennia ago: “Let us know the In the present we may relax, knowing the
happiness time brings.” past is perfected, since it cannot be relived.
There is indeed a certain happiness, Time produces perspective. Perspective
peace, and contentment that arrive with produces wisdom. Wisdom yields accep-
aging. We who have attained elder status tance, and acceptance grants happiness.
can contemplate our lives’ perceived failures Let us know the happiness time brings.
or triumphs with hindsight’s appreciation Volumes have been written on happiness
of concluded objectives and goals. Whether and aging. Numerous researchers have
those ambitions were fulfilled or not, they examined copious scientific studies on
belong to younger, departed days. the correlation between contentment and
maturing. Carolyn Gregoire, senior writer
for the Huffington Post, noted a 2010 Gallup
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encouraging fact that we can be happier in
our early 80s than we were in our 20s.”
Buddha affirmed: “Peace comes
from within. Do not seek it without.”
Psychoanalyst Ken Eisold echoed that affir-
mation as he wrote in Psychology Today, “As
we age, we have the opportunity to accept
who we are…that acceptance brings a higher
degree of enjoyment.”
Dr. Vivian Diller, psychologist and
author, writes in her blog, “…I no longer
use the term ‘midlife crisis,’ replacing it
with ‘emerging maturity’…with age comes
wisdom…and smarter life choices that are
more likely to bring us satisfaction.”
Tomes may have been written and pub-
lished on happiness and aging; however, the
connection between happiness and aging is a
purely personal one, joined within one’s self.
Ausonius urged us to not count the
years, to never know what old age is, but to
know the happiness time brings. Personally,
it is difficult not to count the years.
I, like most of us, was reared in a back-
drop of birthdays. Counting years was a big
deal, a celebratory cause. Learning to not
count them has been, and is, challenging.
Nevertheless, I am realizing the happiness
time brings, accruing years notwithstanding.
Life continues to become more precious,
bird songs more melodious, health more
treasured, and loved ones more cherished.
Appreciation, awareness, and admira-
tion deepen. Gratitude, wonder, and awe
swell. Joyfulness of a strong, loving mar-
riage, contentment of a serene home, and
peacefulness of an orderly life intensify as
age accumulates. Sunsets are as beautiful
as sunrises.
Perhaps we elders value sunsets’
splendors as time has taught us grate-
fulness for our years.
A kindred senior sat down beside me on
a bench recently. We exchanged some small
talk. Then he said, “At my age I don’t hurry
anywhere anymore.”
He rose and continued on his jour-
ney, slowly, to be sure, but steadily. Time
had brought him that certain happiness.
Time will bring it
to us all if we allow
it. Together we’re
headed home on a
common journey.
Like my bench
companion, let’s
slow down, be more
appreciative, and be
kinder to each other.
Let us never know
what old age is. Let
us know the hap-
piness time brings.
And let us share it.
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