FOR THE LOVE OF RELATIONSHIPS – Don’t let him in

All I hear on the news is that we become less efficient as we age. Can we keep up with the task? Do we mumble and stumble through life? I’m tired of hearing about aging. Don’t we all age? Some people do it better than others.

At the end of Clint Eastwood’s film “The Mule” there was a short clip of a song sung by country star Toby Keith. The lyrics of the song touched my heart and I wondered how this song came about. It turns out that Toby Keith is a good friend of Clint Eastwood.

The two friends were sharing a golf cart at a charity golf tournament in Pebble Beach, California. Eastwood had just starred in and directed the film The Mule, based on the true story of an 80-year-old World War II veteran who takes a job as a courier for a Mexican drug cartel. While playing golf with Keith, Eastwood mentioned that he would be shooting a new film in two days, Eastwood’s 88th.^th birthday. Keith was impressed by Eastwood’s perseverance and relentless energy and asked how he could keep going. Eastwood replied, “I get up every morning and I’m determined not to let the old man get to me.” This answer impressed Keith and so he wrote a song with that name: “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

how can we not let the old man in?

After reading dozens of articles about aging gracefully, I realized that the most important thing is to maintain passion for life, practice gratitude and have a positive attitude. Of course, we need to take care of our bodies by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol and other substances, reducing stress, asking for what we need and spending time with people we love and who love us. Meaningful relationships and a strong social network are essential!

Accept that aging is inevitable and part of the cycle of life. We must make the most of it, even accept it as a conscious choice. Find what brings you joy and do it every day. Stay curious, learn new things, have adventures, find new hobbies, listen to music and see the sacred in the simple. Volunteer and serve others. Stay in the present with hope for a meaningful future. Do something positive for your legacy and the world. Recognize the incredible and magnificent power of the individual. A phrase I have on my computer is, “I can’t do everything, but I can do something.” Find that something and do it with passion and enthusiasm. Dance. Smile. Sing (even if you can’t hold a note) because it’s good for the soul. Go to the doctor, dentist and eye exam regularly. Tell the truth. Remember, your character is your legacy. Greet each day with wonder. Search for your happy place with reckless abandon. Keeping out the old man (or woman) is more about living in joy, being healthy and helpful than keeping wrinkles away.

I am determined not to let the old woman in by finding my joy, abiding in the sacred, loving well and living in overwhelming gratitude. [email protected]