At 60, many blessings and some fear

Narinder Arora

It was with trepidation that I embraced my 60th birthday. It felt old. A milestone that at the age of 20, and during college days, felt very far. But the journey of life has travelled this far too soon, and continues.

Being a proud member of the senior citizen’s club, I feel blessed and grateful for this privilege, which has been denied to many; many of whom were promising and deserving people.

But there is a marked feeling of a strange fear, because at least 75 per cent, may be more, of my stay on this earth has been exhausted. The finishing line is now closer; there is less travelling to do. 

What has really changed over the years?

There is a feeling of internal peace and none of any competition, comparison or rivalry with anyone. Each one of us has his/her own path to traverse, with our own challenges. Every one is a hero of his/her story, which always is a mixture of victories and some defeats.

I have developed patience over the years. The art of listening to others is a virtue, I have come to realise. I am immune to, or have learnt to ignore, the vitriolic and sarcastic comments of others. There is no need to react, it only makes the situation more unpleasant. To ignore is an art, a blissful one at that, I have learnt.

It is time to move away from the rat race to run a race of my own: in the ‘self lane’, at a pace of my choosing and convenience. The rat race is an endless, self-defeating and a pointless pursuit, associated with an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that leaves no time for relaxation or enjoyment.

It is time to make the bucket list and tick off things to do, one by one, so that when the final hour is upon me, there will be no regrets. The time spent in the pursuit of hobbies and passions is not wasted. 

Turning 60 is a milestone where middle age ends and old age begins, though one may say ‘age is a state of mind over matter; if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter’. Yet, the fear of falling ill as the age advances looms large, because as a doctor, I have witnessed all sorts of illnesses that come with ageing. It can be frightening. Taking care of health should now be the single-most important agenda for the rest of the life. 

How much money is required for the rest of one’s life, I wonder. There are no easy answers. The resources available may be sufficient for the need, but fall short of human greed. The answer may well lie in Hairat Allahabadi’s lines: Agaah apni maut se koi bashar nahin,/ Saamaan sau baras ka hai/ Pal ki khabar nahin.

Have I become a philosopher, or am I turning senile? I guess, age does it to you.