Saturday, April 15, 2023
It’s tempting to think that aging means to slow down and do a soft landing onto “easy street.” Many people stockpile large amounts of comfort and ease, and after a while they can do their jobs and run their lives with their eyes closed, or with one hand tied behind their back. And then what? Are you just going to watch TV forever? If you can do your job with one hand tied behind your back, it’s time for a new job. Doing something with your eyes closed – how ridiculous! Why not do something that requires all of you?
The misconception is that getting old means slowing down, but I actually happen to think it’s the opposite. Slowing down means getting old. There are many vivacious senior citizens who continually explore new creative ventures, education, and enterprise. They are very productive, alert and their curiosity continues to sizzle. But too many of us are lulled into complacency.
Colonel Sanders retired at age 65, and whilst sitting on his porch one day in a rocking chair, he received his first social security check of $157. The day he received it, he rocked for a while and thought, “Well I don’t like this.” And then he thought of his mother’s fried chicken recipe and spent the rest of his life building Kentucky Fried Chicken. He understood that living is for growing, not for decaying. You never stop learning and unfolding and improving because if you do, you’ll become atrophied. You are here to be alive, not to wither. You’re here to put your whole self into what you do, not just one hand, while the other is tied behind your back. Easy street is for the birds! Keep growing. Keep going. Keep expanding your mind, trying new things, and uncovering your ever-unfolding creative potential. The fullness of life is for as long as you have breath! Take it.