Life Begins At Sixty...Growing Old Gracefully
By sukumar794
@sukumar794 (5040)
Thiruvananthapuram, India
January 9, 2012 12:14am CST
Isn't it true that life in general begins at the age of 60....both maturity wise and thinking capability wise, it is the ripe age of manhood. Getting old happily must be the concern for the elderly. Achieving supposedly impossible fetes at a later age in life is not quite uncommon. Can we expect happiness after the age of 60 years...YES we can ..History is an indicator Louis Pasteur devised the first successful injection against the rabies at the age of 62 ; John Wayne won the Oscar in the same age level too. Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of Great Britain at his 64th year. Lillian Carter(mother of Jimmy Carter) joined the Peace Corps at the age of 68 years. You just too can if what they could do at their late years of life. In a world where seniors outnumber teenagers, Can we expect happiness after 60. YES,definitely. Our perspectives need to change a lot. Life begins at Sixty...and of course it does not end there....So it is going to be growing old happily and gracefully.
1 person likes this
19 responses
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
9 Jan 12
Well said..Retirement from service is definitely not retirement from life. The score of activities which life has to offer is innumerable, provided if one keeps body and mind in good stead. Take care.
@longbangod (1785)
• Philippines
9 Jan 12
So it's not "Life begins at forty" anymore? Long time ago, when you reach forty you are considered old already. But this time, people doesn't consider themselves as old when they reach forty. And we can see the difference also. People at their forty's now are still very active and a lot of them even look as young as in their 20's.
Anyhow, the bottom line is people grow old and you are right, it's nice to grow old happily and gracefully.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
9 Jan 12
Each year, if not today, brings many different experiences, some pleasant and other perhaps not so welcome, but am I able to see what it is that has brought the good experiences and what I can learn from others? We must make the most of each minute that kicks by, make the most of everything we do and of each person that we are with. Let there be lightness in each action so that there is beauty and meaning in the dance of life. For now, before I cross the bridge, I'll enjoy just being alive.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215587)
• Chile
9 Jan 12
I think that it had more to do with health than with years. Some people have lots of energy and good minds at 80, some start to deteriorate very early. I believe life is worth living while you have a good quality of life.
@narnia007 (1050)
• India
9 Jan 12
This piece of inspiration must be out in papers.Every one thinks life is dull above age of 50 years and ends at 60 years.I myself had this impression.After reading this,I knew great people had achieved such noble feats with maturity and thinking capability.But also every one has to keep in mind that our brain functions begin to decline at old age.This can be prevented and our brain kept fresh only we are active just like all those great people.
1 person likes this
@jeslin (147)
•
9 Jan 12
I strongly agree with you. And i really wonder why would those ppl, especially girls, as they grow older, they would do all sorts of stuff like botox and everything, making them horrifying. Graceful is the main word that is needed as you grow old, not doing weird stuff. =)
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
9 Jan 12
Very informative discussion. I retired 3 years, took early retirement, and have enjoyed being home and working from home. Also have very much enjoyed being a grandma and sharing my time with our grandkids. I definitely think anyone can enjoy life after 60 if they have their health and keep busy.
1 person likes this
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
9 Jan 12
I crossed that age 6 years back and i am enjoying my self.In fact i have been enjoying myself since i was born and throughout my life. Looking back i have found that every stage of my life there have been lots of upheavals but there have also been many moments where i have enjoyed myself very much.So for me there has never been a beginning but i should say that it has been endless and beginningless.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159227)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Jan 12
Did you write this discussion for me or what? hehe I just turned 60 in November. I think we actually have TIME to set an ponder and slow down abit now. In reading about Edgar Cayce and his unique abilities it is said that people come into their spiritual awareness at about 25. Life goes by and we only have one chance at it. Now days people are still young and thriving at age 60. Enjoy!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Jan 12
People look at me very funny when I say I wouldn't be twenty again for anything. Youth can bring a lot of stress when it comes to understanding the ways of the world..lol...I still have trouble understanding it sometimes. I have been content, so far at least, with aging. I am not near 60 but I am over 30
Great points!
Great points!1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
13 Jan 12
I don't really know that I would agree that life begins at sixty, but I do think that we are able to have a really good time when we are in the later years of our lives as long as we are still able to get around and we are still able to use our minds.
However, there are a lot of people that don't have the opportunity to do that with our lives because of the fact that we experience injuries or illness that limits what we can do with our lives.
@vandana7 (98873)
• India
9 Jan 12
Well, this feels so much better..I arrived here after reading some of the nasty predictions. To think yesterday I felt happy about NASA having changed its mind about 2012. Today they are saying it is 2013. Whatever..life begins everyday. Age is just a number. 
1 person likes this
@jsmalong (109)
•
9 Jan 12
To the many who are sick and destitute, reaching the age of 60 literally means the beginning of an end. When your physical and mental faculties hamper you from doing the things you enjoy and be productive, your usefulness has already expired. You are past your consume or use by date. But for those who are healthy in body and mind, thus growing old gracefully, can still pursue further heights of successes and glory. We view age depending on these two perspectives.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
11 Jan 12
When I was 50, I thought it began at 50. In truth, I think those who are in their 60's now are redefining what "old" is. Of course there were always some exceptional people who came into their own at a later age than most. A good example is Cervantes, who wrote the wonderful book Don Quixote late in life, and Michelangelo, of course, still standing on a ladder working on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. But now we have massive numbers of people who are active and youthful at time when people used to be considered old. It is great!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
11 Jan 12
Hi sukumar, I'm not sure if I would go as far as to say that life begins at sixty, but I don't think of sixty as old. I am 72 and didn't have a computer before I was past the mid sixties, now I love surfing and writing for various sites. I agree that it's fun to grow old gracefully but also that we are never too old to try something new. Blessings.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
10 Jan 12
When i was in my 20's i thought 30 ws old. In my 30's i thought 40 was old. In my 40's i thought 50 was old. Im 56 now and i figured out that healthy people can live to be over 100. So 50 must be the middle. I honestly do not know anymore when old age begins. But i know its not my age. In fact i find it kind of funny how once again in my life im not old enough fo something. SSI. But this time im not ina hurry to get there.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
10 Jan 12
This is nice to know, since Hubby and I are both well past 60. I guess we can still expect great things from us. Blessings
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
10 Jan 12
My mom only lived for 55 years and it makes me wonder how she would have become if she was given 5 years more. I would also say that she would be just as fabulous, and wonderful. I don't see why life should take a backseat when one reaches 60. for me as long as we're alive and kicking, we have the right and the chances to be happy.
More years for you sukumar.
