According to Tom Waits there are three ages of man: youth, middle-age and “You’re looking good‘”.
I fall comfortably into the third category.
What have I learnt from 67 years on the planet?
Something and nothing.
I don’t believe that getting older automatically makes you wiser but it does give some perspective.
For what it’s worth, here is a list of ten random tips that I can pass on:
- BE IN THE NOW – avoid making banal comments to the effect that music, films, books, people and places are not what they used to be. Even if it’s true it implies you are living on some sad, nostalgic fantasy land.
- KEEP MOVING – walk, run,cycle or swim for at least half an hour a day. Find inspiring music, watch weird films, read books by authors you’ve never heard of, talk to people who look interesting and go to places you’ve never been before.
- ACCEPT YOUR AGE – reject the cliché that you’re only as old as you feel. The truth is you’re as old as the number of years you’ve been alive.
- STAY OPEN TO NEW STUFF- Samuel Beckett said that “habit is a great deadener” and he was right. Be careful that a well honed routine doesn’t become a rut.
- ACHES AND PAINS are inevitable no matter how healthy you are but always remember that are these are NOT compelling topics of conversation. Talk about art, politics, life, love and death instead.
- WRITE a book, blog, journal, or keep a diary. It helps with numbers 1 and 4 and at the very least keeps the memory alive.
- YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT is a meaningless adage but paying attention to what you put in your body is just plain common sense. Eat less meat or, better still, go vegan.
- CHOOSE CLOTHES for style rather than comfort.
- MEDITATE REGULARLY – Especially when you are stuck or feeling low. It clears the mind and purifies the spirit
- AVOID SOCIAL NETWORKS They dull the brain and pollute the soul
One item I have not included that is to be found on most lists of this kind is to recognise the importance of other people. Family and friends have value but can also let you down. As Eudora Welty once wrote “All serious daring starts from within.”
