Getting Too Old?

By Perry Mack

It's an excuse I’m tired of hearing. We’re not ‘too old’ to do anything. Perhaps too lazy, too out of shape, too scared, done it too many times already or just aren’t interested, but not ‘too old’. If it’s a medical condition or disease that’s holding us back, then we should say so.

Being too old isn’t a physical affliction; it’s a mental state. Saying we’re too old is not only a self-fulfilling prophecy, but it tells the younger generations we’re weak. It teaches them to be afraid of growing old. We are telling them that growing is old is bad.

A few times a year when my age comes up in conversation I usually get the, ‘you look pretty good for your age’. So does that mean I look pretty bad, but I’m so old it’s acceptable? Or have they been hearing ‘I’m too old’ from people my age, so they don’t expect to see me outside of an extended care facility.

Staying young isn’t about Botox, wrinkle creams, plastic surgery, laser spot removal, whiter teeth, and hair dye - contrary to media blitz by manufacturers and witch doctors.

How is it that some people look ‘good for their age’ and others, well, don’t? The not-so-secret secret to never being ‘too old’ is (listen closely) staying active. No newsflash there. When we were too young to drive, we had to walk, run or bike everywhere to be independent. Or often in my case, walk, run, bike too fast and then fall down.

The older we get, the more independence we gain. No one tells us to go outside and play, or try it before you decide you don’t like it. Which brings me to the second not-so-secret secret. Try new things or revisit the activities you enjoyed before responsibilities weighed you down and made you ‘too old’.

In a previous story I spoke about getting a motorcycle again – something to blow the cobwebs out of my brain. If you don’t drive a motorcycle I suggest you try it. Take a good look at the bikers you see on the road – a good portion are in the Grey Gang. Apparently no one told them they were too old.

Something relatively new for me now is off-roading. No, it’s not exercise. But when we are feeling too old, we need an activity that will rekindle our passion for life, renew the awe we felt when the world was new to us. Exploring in my Jeep with a group of friends does just that.

I know I’m not alone amongst RV’ers in my passion for off-roading. You’ll see Jeep Wranglers towed behind motorhomes on the highway, and lining the driveways in RV parks. It’s a convertible; it’s 4-wheel drive, what’s not to love?

These are just a couple of examples that work for me. Each one of us has an inherent ability called Free Will that will allow us to never be too old. We just have to ‘exercise’ it, physically and mentally.

So I suggest we tell the truth. If we don’t want to do something – let’s just say so. If we let ourselves get too fat, too lazy or whatever the real reason for not getting out and living with passion – let’s just say so. But let’s not let the next generations think we’re weak, or simple minded. Let’s teach them to embrace getting older, hopefully by example.