Inspiration & Paradox 59: Why People Call Names Like "Stubborn Old Man" or "Angry Old Woman"

When I was much younger I couldn't understand why the old people I met were often grumbling, whining, angry and insistent in their ways. My rationale was that if these people claimed that they had been through it all, seen much more nonsense in this world then the youngsters, and "the salt they had eaten is more than the rice eaten by the youngsters" (as how the Chinese would interestingly put it), shouldn't they logically also become more open in their perspective, calmer, and slower in reacting to what is felt not to be right, and be more gracious in all their ways, why would they take things so hard?

But as I become older, I begin to realise that hard times, difficulties, and set backs in life may make it person wiser and more mature in their ways, but they could also easily cause a person's heart to turn cold, closed, hard, and even bitter. Many old people tend to be resistant to change because they feel that they would tried enough ways to know what works and what don't, they tend to be more cynical and critical because they feel that they know enough to make what they believe to be good judgement. Their fuse tend to be shorter because they probably have already put up too much nonsense before leaving them with no much patience or tolerance.

Perhaps that's why so many people talk about how to age well with grace and dignity. Instead of accepting old age as doddering and obsolesence and be seen as sour dumpings, continue to give and contribute in life. The physical form may keep be degenerating away day by day, but keeping the heart and mind going forward by learning, laughing, loving, and living will make all the difference.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."