Observations and Advice from a Septuagenarian

I saw a quip the other day on facebook that offered this insight: “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone”.

So, true.

A few weeks ago, someone posted this on their facebook page from an unknown source. It began with someone asking a friend who was past 70 and heading toward 80 years old what sort of changes he was experiencing in his life. This was his response.

1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, and my friends, I have now started loving myself.

2 I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.

3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more won’t break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.

5 I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.

6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.

7 I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment: never, never turn it down; just say “Thank You.”

8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.

9 I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.

10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat, & neither am I in any race.

11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.

12 I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.

13 I have learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.

14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!

While you might quibble with one or two of these statements, I found them to have a basis in Biblical principles and percepts.

Just in the Sermon on the Mount alone, Jesus presented principles for true blessedness, how to treat other people, what’s really important in life, not to worry about stuff, and to trust God’s providence to provide.

The admonition to “be kind,” generous, and “do good” indeed undergirds several of these attitudes and actions.

Warnings against the danger of pride, selfish ambition, and greed are definitely found in the application of this Septuagenarian’s suggestions.

This man has also learned not to seek vengeance, retaliate, or strike back.

Not only is “happiness a choice,” so is everyone else. God made us creatures of choice. We are responsible for our attitudes and actions.

Living each day as if it were our last day on earth is rooted in James’ reminder that we don’t know what tomorrow may bring. Preface your plans with “if the Lord wills.”

The author of this piece ended with this pertinent and penetrating question: “Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can’t we practice this at any stage and age?

The advice of our 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt, is appropriate and applicable. “Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman