Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

What Is Old

For the first time I've noticed people now think of me as old, or that I'm still young. Now which is it? Young people see me as old and people over 80 see me as "still young." How do you know when you're old?

If I schedule an appointment with a new doctor she has no idea what she will be dealing with from the number 75 written on my chart. She could open the door to find me in a wheelchair not knowing  my own name, or the days of the week. It's also possible she could find me running in place in my jazzy exercise outfit, anxious to get back out on the street and continue my morning run. (not likely).

Sometimes health ages a person prematurely. Loss of sight and hearing can have a severe impact on aging. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other health issues have a direct effect on how we age.

Some personalities age better than others. My sister-in-law asked me recently why I seem to be happy most of the time. I don't have an answer but I know that her melancholy personality is doing a real number on her when it comes to aging.

I think our view of life is a factor. I have no scientific proof, but I believe curiosity is anti-aging. It would be nice if we could drink from a bottle. Some people are old at 50 and others young at 100.

Looking at a stranger in a crowd, where you have only their physical being to go by, what tells you a person is old?

How do you decide who is old?

15 comments:

  1. I am usually amazed to learn the age of a person. They are either far older or much younger than I would have guessed. I don't try to guess any more. I just take a person as they are, enjoy them as they are, and hope they are doing likewise with me. Tomorrow I have lunch with a young friend who is in her 30s. We will have a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Everyone looks old to me lately. In fact, the blog I'm working on for Saturday is on this very topic. I do think being interested in people and what's going on in the world at large and around you helps keep you younger. Technology is going to separate the generations like nothing that's ever come before...got keep up.

    As your sister-in-law ever talked to her doctor about her depression? When you write about her I keep thinking she could use something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My sister-in-law is on medication, has been for years. It’s a life long problem for her, since childhood. Her mother suffered very severe mental illness, though not depression. It’s a way of life for her. Very hard to sort all the factors involved. She also has many fears and phobias.

      Delete
  3. You ask hard questions. I think people have to challenge themselves with new things. You know the list. People also have to find new friends. You know where I'm going with this list. It's a combination of things. It's different for everybody. How's that for wiggling out of the question. Keep on wondering things.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It just may be as simple as genetics. My Mother looked 30 when she was 50. I have a photo of my Dad at age 80 and he looks 65. I look young for my age, at least that what doctor's and other people have told me. Also maybe it is personality, my mother and dad were always joking around and smiling and I smile all the time, even when I am all alone. I don't feel old either, so---none of my reasons answer your question. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm afraid I look old now because of the way I move. My arthritis is slowing me down and making it difficult to walk freely when I first stand up. But my brain isn't old. I agree that curiosity is important to keeping a young, active brain.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was out recently with friends and we engaged with an old woman at the next table. She had little to say though had dressed mightily for the occasion. Afterwards, my friends turned to me and said she's 2 years younger than you and acts and looks a generation older!

    We had a discussion on this. Demeanour has a lot to do with it and a complete lack of curiosity. She never asked us one question. A lack of engagement with the world.

    Great topic.

    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is an interesting topic I've thought about lately. There are many factors involved. The surface ones of weight, color of hair, style of dress and simple demeanor. My Mom looked older at 71 than I do, but women from her time frame all did compared to today. It was the times.

    I think staying interested in life and current events and being social and positive help too. And of course genetics, which may be more telling in longevity.

    My husband's grandmother was in a wheelchair in her 60's because she was afraid of falling, was not stylish, as was typical in her even older time frame, was a bit negative and not so kind to her own children. But she lived to be ninety six and was adored by her caregivers in a nursing home.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I’m doing my deal level best to grow old gracefully and it’s not as easy as I thought it would be!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm one of those who thinks 75 is young. That was a great year for me. Attitude helps. I have a 50 year old friend who is almost as old as I am physically.

    ReplyDelete
  10. For me, a person's eyes influence age guessing. Are they sparkling and alert -- or are they lethargic, dull and sunken? (Sorry if it sounds a bit like a horse trader's appraisal.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great response. I hadn’t thought of that.

      Delete
  11. I honestly believe that some people decide to be old, like they make a set point in their mind and stick to it. I agree with you that curiosity is a factor too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Old compared to what? Old is a relative term. Are we referring to life expectancy? Chronological years?State of mind? Physical body condition? Others defining criteria? Many ways to look at what old is or when we become old. We’re always old, whether one minute old, etc. and getting older.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello everyone on here, I want to share with you all a great testimony on how I was cured by Dr Jekawo, who cured so many diseases.
    I was suffering from herpes and diabetes also my little sister was a victim of blood cancer too but with the help of Dr Jekawo we are all fine, well with his natural remedies that he prepare then send to us through dhl courier he then instruct us on how to drink the herbal medicines which we did and today we are completely well, we have being living free for 2 years now and it's seems like a God sent when I met him online by a lady giving testimony online like I'm doing right now.also I have introduce Dr Jekawo to several colleagues from works suffering from different kind of diseases and Dr Jekawo has healed all of them with his herbal knowledge. he's a great man with ancestral power to cure people with herpes,cancer,diabetes,hepatitis,hpv,lupus,als,hiv/aids, also spiritual consultation he's available for that as well.
    I email him on: drjekawo@gmail.com because that's the only source to get to him as he lives far from the United state,I told him that I will be giving testimony on his behalf because he's a good man with a Godly heart.

    ReplyDelete