From the Bottom of the Bucket

Old Souls and Young Hearts

"And if you can survive to a hundred and five

Look at all you'll derive out of being alive

And here is the best part, you'll have a head start

If you are among the very young at heart "    Young at Heart - Frank Sinatra

Each day that passes brings more examples of one of the great paradoxes of life.  When you are young, you life is bursting with Vigor, but short on bearing.   Then, just as experience begins to focus the direction, that Vigor begins to wain.  Is frailty the destiny of age?  Are we fated to decline over our life's journey?  According to Frank Sinatra, the answer is NO, but only if you keep you heart "young".

That got me to thinking what is a "young heart"?  According to the song, your views should not be "narrow of mind" and you "can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams".  He also adds "For as rich as you are, it's much better by far, to be young at heart."  Each time I see a group of young, vibrant people laughing with glee as they go about their amusement, I am struck with a tinge of jealousy,,,,,oh to have such Energy!

But as  much as  our culture worships youth, I wouldn't trade my wisdom (tempered by years of experience) for all of that vitality.  Still, there are forces at work that will prevent you from being young at heart.   The biggest offender is habit and contentment.  We all get comfortable in our time tested ways and that gradually erodes our ability to accept new ideas and customs.   If you take this path, it won't be long before you see change as the enemy and the maintaining the status quo your goal.  This is most common when your memories exceed your dreams.  So it seems one of the mandates for successful aging is to keep dreaming.

We should not avoid uncomfortable situations.  That discomfort is merely a sign that you are about to experience a learning opportunity.  If your life is completely comfortable, then you are not trying enough new things.  This causes a calcification of your ability to adapt and is the source of a great deal of frustration with the changes that will go on around you.

Least we focus only on the challenges of the aging, the young  people of today seem to be suffering from  "rush addiction" , always stressed by a frenzied lifestyle that is mortally afraid of missing something.  The irony is that in doing so, they miss many of the important things  going on right in front of  them.....they have a difficult time being present.

How does one find a balance?  First, you must be mindful of the forces at work (both positive and negative).  Make an effort to build on the positive and be wary of  the negative.   Take some risks, even if they make you uncomfortable, you might grow  a bit in the process!  Cultivate a positive attitude and don't dwell on the way "things used to be".  Slow down a bit and take the time to meet new people and listen enough to get to know them.  Don't overbook your schedule, so you have the time to come to your experiences relaxed and present.  This will require that you prioritize your activities, a central component of The System advocated by this column.

Above all, remain Young at Heart, while honoring the wisdom of your Old Soul ! 

 

Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.

Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob