Yours Sincerely ( Y S ) observes many healthy, good hearted and well-meaning people seem to think that sicknesses and illnesses and death are for other people, and that they are immune to all these ....op..op..op... (taboo to talk about ) things. Touch wood! Touch wood! As if by ignoring and not talking about them, they will automatically be bypassed. It is paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but then the idea of getting old becoming sick and death does not appeal to anyone. There is nothing so certain as sicknesses and finally death, and also the income tax!
Many would disagree that life is 3 score and ten (70) and the rest of the years are bonuses. One may have a bonus of , say 15 years, and that adds up to 85. A ripe old age ? Remember, one may not have all the 15 years of bonus. With the present environmental degradation; pesticides, chemical fertilizers, mono sodium glutamate, preservatives, artificial coloring etc etc etc in our food and coupled with fat and cholesterol; and not to mention the rat race and stress, it is safe to deduct another 5 years. That leaves one with only 80. Then, one needs to question himself whether his last 10 years of bonus can be lived out free of doctors and hospitals ?
What if his last 5, 6 0r 7 years is riddled with wheelchair and hospital bed. Then, he has only 75, 74 or 73 years ! And taking 58 as the retirement age in Malaysia now, one only has 17, 16 or 15 years of blissful retirement! That is not long. Many of Y S' friends, ex-colleagues and acquaintances have been called home at around 75 and some as early as 68 ! Scary, eh ?
How is one to live out this last lap of life ? Some think that retirement is like taking a permanent vacation. Some drop out of sight after their retirement. Some tire themselves out selling insurance and trust fund. Many more turn baby sitters and child minders for their children. Y S observes a few craftily and quickly move in with their children and stick to them tightly as an old age insurance.
After the "honeymoon" phase of a " permanent vacation " wears out, this last lap of life has to be lived purposefully, mindfully and fruitfully. It can be a time of catching up with hobbies, skills and other interests; reconciliation; "paying back" and preparation to meet the Maker ( If you believe in Him). It is time to clear your "Bucket List" one by one pleasurably. It is time to know new people and widen one's circle of friends. It is time to play "hop scotch," and "Batu Tujuh" ( A child's game played with 7 rounded pebbles which you hurl into the air and catch it with the same hand.) , so to speak, if you so desire.
15, 16 or 17 years is short either for one to merely exist or live it. So, live it them ............
3 comments:
I think it's important to take this approach through one's whole lifespan - no point waiting for retirement to start living! :)
Living purposefully, mindfully and fruitfully is not reserved for the last lap. It has to start from the very beginning and must go on until the end.
Rachel & footiam, Y S is referring to those who have worked, worked and worked 3 quarters of their life and now with only 1 quarter left, so live well.
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