The Beauty of Old Age

Every age has its own beauty.
As we grow older, we can no longer do many things as we once did. The running and jumping, the rushing about, the commotion all diminish; slowly we lose enthusiasm and energy for many tasks. There's nothing to be downcast about in this.

And it's only natural that this should happen. Accepting this truth reduces self-loathing and increases mental strength. Who is a greater decision-maker than time itself? Everyone must surrender to time's verdict at time's hands. Those who cannot let go find themselves consumed by their own inner rebellion.

With age comes experience. What youth must learn through harsh lessons, old age can easily avoid. This saves time and reduces unnecessary troubles. Looking back at the days we've left behind, we might chuckle and feel like saying: what happened was for the best, after all. Something even worse could have befallen us! It's because we stumbled that we're still standing today.

The true beauty of old age emerges in the absence of expectations. People bend more under the weight of expectations than under the weight of years. If we wish to live with richness and beauty in our twilight days, we must save enough for life's remaining days well before old age arrives—in our own name—so we need not live by leaning on anyone's shoulder. The affection we receive from our children is bounty enough; it's wise to harbor no expectations beyond that. One can even be carried to the funeral pyre on a stranger's shoulders, but to live in hardship supported by one's own children—that's a burden indeed!