Feeling young in old age is a privilege not given to more than a minuscule fraction of population anywhere across the earth. However, acting young in old age is a different ballgame altogether. Memories of childhood are not easy to come by but those of boyhood days come in a complex mix of good, bad and indifferent. These being not entirely one’s own doing, the environment in which one goes through the years of life’s journey and what the cohorts in the family, in the neighbourhood, in the school, in places of work-life and subsequently dole out has its enormous contribution to the episodes one recollects with nostalgia, not always welcome in one’s mind. Brimming with confidence, thanks to robust health and living in an economic comfort zone, added to a pocket jingling with cash as well as doting parents, youth don’t have to bestow attention to what awaits them in old age until they cross the threshold of old age. Not enjoying during prime time amounts to spending later years regretting.
Conduct and ethos to life during the four distinct stages of life are spelt by the land’s philosophers of a distant past which don’t sound harsh. To be playful with gay abandon free from worries during childhood, to take various attractions in their stride during youth times, to discharge the duties to one’s family during adulthood and pursuit of spirituality in old age, as prescribed by the ancient thinkers merit adopting in one’s life.
