How Fear Of Getting Old Made Me A Better Human BeingYes, I feared getting old. I used to look at “old people”, like me, with great apprehension. Why? Because they all seem to be getting old, fat, soft, and sickly. I am not fat or soft. I work out six days a week-running, biking, swimming, and weight lifting. In fact, up to 18months ago, I was never sick. And, for goodness sake, I was never a patient in a hospital. Just to give you an idea, I started Tae Kwon Do at age 57. I hung in there for 7 years. The end result was that I am a 2nd Degree Black Belt. I had one weakness for 35 years. I smoked two packs a day. I quit smoking in 1993. However, like most books on the subject will attest to, most people start paying for this very costly habit, after they hit their 70’s. Look out, I am getting old! I am a very young 71, but I have let no grass grow under my feet regarding the reaping of the ill effects of smoking. 18 months ago I got colon cancer. I survived the “cure” for cancer-chemo, radiation, and surgery.Cancer Survivor Presently, I am cancer free. Thank God. I still work out 6 days a week. Who me? Getting old? How do I Stand for Your Greatness? To my total dismay, 5 weeks ago, my doctor had me diagnosed for a 90% carotid artery blockage. Eck! I simply couldn’t believe this was happening to me. Hey, what about all of these couch potatoes that live forever!So, guess what? I had surgical removal of my artery blockage three days ago. The operation was a success and I am still alive. Whoa! Hoorah! Now I love life and everybody in it. I will stand for my greatness. I now like and respect “old people” and I am coming to the self-acceptance of my own aging condition. Like, forget about my fear of getting old. I just want to live. Quit Killing Yourself I just want to stand for my greatness. Well, that sentiment applies to a point. I prefer “quality” to “quantity”, if you get my drift. In another words, I am healthy enough, to say that I enjoy life and I don’t really want to leave this world. On the other hand, I really would detest getting a stroke and end up being an invalid. That would shake me to my core. I get on my knees quite often, and thank my God, that has not happened to me. So what is the moral of this story? It’s simply this, I appreciate and love every minute I have of life. Please, let me explain. I used to be a rather stoic reserved kind of guy. I had difficulty with giving affection. I never considered this a weakness. Basically, I still am a highly disciplined, tough minded and strong individual. My Marine Corps training of my youth, I am sure, helped instill these “Devil Dog” characteristics. Somebody who has not lived in the Corps, most likely wouldn’t understand. By being this way, I cheated myself out of some tremendous interaction with other people. I feel life is too short, not to part take 100% in all that humanity has to offer. Anyway, I am one very loose and sociable guy now. I am capable of dynamic interaction with most people. Why? Simply because I have found that people in general hold the gift of personal enrichment for myself. And, in turn, I can help enrich other people. I now want to Stand for Your Greatness. Let me give you an example, during my three day stay in the hospital last week, you know, the “carotid artery” thing, I found myself joyfully interacting with the nurses and doctors. I even surprised myself. The night nurse came into my room and introduced herself as “Josephine”. I immediately responded, “Josephine, my goodness, what a pretty name. There is a beautiful song written about Josephine the beautiful flying machine”. Josephine responded, “ Will you sing it to me”? “Why of course. Josephine, Josephine you are such a beautiful flying machine. I am sorry Josephine. Those are the only words I know.” As I repeated the verses, Josephine began doing a little dance to my lyrics. I got a kick out of her. See what I mean. I am now a loose and crazy guy. I am telling all of you “oldies” like me, because I know there is a whole boat load of you people just like me. Dealing with hardships and sicknesses that comes from aging. Hey, don’t take it personal. Realistically speaking, we are just like an older automobile. Things and parts wear out. You get them fixed and move on. But, we never stop standing for our greatness.You see, I have lost my fear of getting old. I have down right self-acceptance. No question about it, the old body ain’t what it used to be. But who’s keeping track anyway? It’s the spirit that counts, right?
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