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HAPPY AGEING TIPS BY VIKRAM KARVE
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I WANT TO REMAIN “YOUNG” – DO YOU…?
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Sometime ago – I had a date with a beautiful girl – a creative writer and blogger – who loves reading and writing fiction stories – like I do.
We talked about literature – we discussed our favourite short stories – authors – and books.
It was a delightful conversation.
There is a saying that the best kind of friendship is one where two people love the same books.
We – the pretty girl and me – we seemed to love the same genre of literature – so – we struck a lovely chord and resonated with each other.
During the conversation – it slipped out that I was in my late 60’s – approaching my 70’s – and the beautiful young girl said that she couldn’t believe it – and she said that I looked much younger.
I felt good.
Maybe – she was trying to raise my morale by complimenting me.
Surely – I don’t look that “young” and “youthful”.
But it is a fact – that – though I am chronologically “old” – I still feel “young” – at least in my mind.
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As I travel towards the autumn of my life – let me re-post my own happy ageing mantra for myself – to recap – and help me practice what I preach – and for you too – Dear Reader – to help you remain “young”.
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HAPPY AGEING MANTRA
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Officially – I am a Senior Citizen – for quite some years now.
Am I old…?
Or – am I young…?
Well – you may say that I am old – but – I still feel that I am a young boy.
You may not agree with me – but – I feel that it is better to be “immature” rather than “mature”.
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There is a saying:
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“YOU ARE AS OLD AS YOU FEEL”
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That is why there are “young senior citizens” and “old fogey senior citizens”.
Surely – I would like to always remain a “young senior citizen”.
How about you…?
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Here is an updated version of a piece I wrote some years ago in my blog on the subject titled:
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HOW TO REMAIN YOUNG AND YOUTHFUL FOREVER
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Do tell me if you like it – I look forward to your comments.
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HOW TO BE A “YOUNG” SENIOR CITIZEN
The Ultimate Happy Ageing Formula
Zest for Living and Passion for Learning
Musings By Veteran Vikram Karve
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PART 1
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DO WANT TO BE A “YOUNG” SENIOR CITIZEN…?
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There are a large number of retired senior citizens in the neighbourhood where I live in Pune.
Yes – there are still large numbers of pensioners living all over Pune – though Pune is no longer a pensioners’ paradise.
I have noticed one intriguing thing.
Though most are of these persons are of the same chronological age – some are “young” – and – some are “old”.
Yes – despite being of the same age – some senior citizens appear “young” – and – some seem to look “old”.
After all – your age is what you feel.
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PART 2
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HAPPY AGEING FORMULA
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“ZEST FOR LIVING” and “PASSION FOR LEARNING”
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By observing senior citizens for many years – I have discovered this “anti ageing formula” for remaining young:
ZEST FOR LIVING and PASSION FOR LEARNING is the best “anti-ageing recipe” that keeps you young forever.
This is the true “Elixir of Life”.
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Look around you – and you will see what I mean.
There are many “oldie-goldies” who are living life to the fullest and are always eager to learn new things.
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On the other hand:
There are many old fogeys who have no “juice” left in them – as they seem to have lost the spirit to enjoy learning – and they do not have the enthusiasm to relish the pleasures of life to their utmost.
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I knew a “young” senior citizen who – after retirement from the Army – he started learning classical music from the scratch.
He enjoyed studying for 10 years till he completed his Sangeet Alankar.
He lived life to the fullest in true epicurean style – good food, music, concerts, plays, movies, travel, tourism, picnics, swimming, trekking, playing with his dogs, social work etc.
You name it – he did it.
This “young-at-heart” Senior Citizen lived a delightfully active life – he loved the company of youngsters – and he had the enthusiasm and energy of a child.
Even in his late 70’s he seemed “younger” than those senior citizens who were chronologically many years his junior.
His zest for life and passion for knowledge that kept him healthy, happy and youthful.
When he passed away nearing the age 80 – I am sure he was still feeling “young”.
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TECHNOLOGY CAN KEEP YOU “YOUNG” AND MENTALLY ACTIVE
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Nowadays – Technology has made it easier for senior citizens to remain “young”.
With the proliferation of internet and smartphones – you can enjoy moments exploring the mysteries of the web, learning new things and latest technologies – and of course – you can be active on the Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, Blogging etc)
You can actively blog with passionate fervour.
You can engage with with gusto in all sorts of learning activities, creative writing, surfing, social networking, making virtual friends, teaching music.
Yes – you can experience the truism:
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“Variety is the Spice of Life”…
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Remember the saying:
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“you are as old as you feel – and – not as old as you look”
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You should certainly not feel as “old” as your chronological age says you are.
It is in your hands to forever remain a “young” senior citizen.
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I will end this part with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:
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“Live as if you are going to die tomorrow – but – Learn as if you are going to live forever…”
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It is breathtakingly simple to remain young forever.
It is all in the mind.
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“ZEST FOR LIVING” and “PASSION FOR LEARNING” will keep you “Young”.
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Just adopt these two things and see the results for yourself.
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PART 3
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HOW TO FEEL YOUNG AND YOUTHFUL
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For feeling youthful and yound – it is your “mental age” that matters – and – you should feel “mentally young” even if you are “physically old”.
Here are some tips on how to feel mentally young and forget your chronological age.
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1. SPEND TIME IN THE COMPANY OF YOUNG HAPPY PEOPLE
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It is better to spend your time with cheerful younsters – who are enjoying life in the present.
Why make yourself miserable in the company of pessimistic, gloomy, cynical “old-fogies” – who keep living in the past – carping and complaining about the present – and – speculating and worrying about the future.
In today’s world – if your children (and youngsters of the next generation) have migrated abroad – or – live elsewhere – you may not have younsters around you.
In such cases – the best substitute is to have young online friends in the virtual world – so why not interact with young people on the internet – by being active on the Social Media – on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, LinkedIn, Quora etc – and – engaging in creative activities like Writing, Blogging etc.
Of course – face-to-face relationships are better – but when these are not feasible – the best alternative is to have good online relationships.
Also – many online friendships with youngsters may transform into offline interactions – and – you can have enjoyable meets with youngsters with common interests like food, literature, blogging etc.
I love attending blogger meets – social media friends meetups – literary festivals (lit-fests) – film festivals – food festivals etc. – where I can interact with my online friends and make new friends with similar interests.
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I boast to my wife – that – in my “old age” – I have more “girlfriends” – than I had in my younger days.
Of course – now – all my “girlfriends” are “online girlfriends”.
At my age – it is difficult for me to have young “offline girlfriends”.
Also – many of my “online girlfriends” are quite hesitant to come out with me on “offline dates”.
Maybe – the young girls feel embarrassed to be seen in public in the company of an “old fogey” like me – and they feel more comfortable having an online “friendship” with me.
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But – that doesn’t matter.
Even interacting with youngsters on the Social Media makes you feel young and cheerful.
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Teaching and mentoring youngsters (never give unsolicited advice or moral lectures) – offline and online – is rewarding and good too – I love to teach – as I enjoy the company of cheerful motivated young students and this keeps me young and enthusiastic about learning too.
Whenever possible – I enjoy cheerful get-togethers with young friends over lunch, dinner or a cup of coffee – or even a tête-à-tête with a young friend – and – this makes me feel cheerful and young.
We have a group of Twitter Friends in Pune – all of them much younger than me – I really enjoy our frequent get-togethers – and – their wonderful company makes me feel young and youthful.
And if – a pretty young girl invites me for a date (it does happen sometimes) – I feel delighted – my morale really goes up – and – I feel as if I am a young and youthful college boy.
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2. GET A PET DOG
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Another useful anti-aging technique is to get a pet dog and enjoy playing with your dog.
Pet parenting and your pet dog’s antics and will keep you happily occupied, cheerful and healthy, besides ensuring regular exercise as your pet dog will ensure you take him out on walks at least twice a day.
There is nothing more joyful than playing with your dog and talking to him.
A dog always remains young at heart, and if you play and talk to your dog, you too will remain young at heart.
Playing with my dog Sherry made me feel really young and energetic.
A dog will bring out the child in you.
A pet will keep you active, happy, young and youthful.
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(Sadly – my pet dog Sherry passed away around 9 years ago.
She had really kept me mentally young and physically fit.)
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3. RE-DISCOVER YOUR “CHILDLIKE ENTHUSIASM”
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Get rid of the “Auld Lang Syne” complex.
Stop reminiscing about the “good old days”.
Start living it up every day – doing whatever you like – with zest for life – and a passion to learn new things like Blogging, Tweeting, Social Networking – making real friends and virtual friends with common interests and passions – exploring the mysteries internet and enjoying the benefits of information technology.
Yes – keeping yourself uptodate and abreast of the latest technologies keeps you mentally stimulated.
Use technology effectively to keep young – you must have the latest smartphone, a good laptop and modern gadgets.
You must Blog – you must Tweet – you must engage on WhatsApp – you must upload pictures on Instagram – and – you must be active on Social Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Quora, WhatsApp, Threads, etc.
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4. RE-DISCOVER YOUR YOUTHFUL ROMANTIC MISCHIEVOUS SIDE
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Become “naughty” once again.
Have fun and discover the beauty and romance of life.
Why not harmlessfly flirt a bit…?
Remember – the moment you stop appreciating beauty (and stop being attracted to beautiful persons) – you have become “old” – and life is not worth living.
Yes – there is a saying that:
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The day you lose interest in Good Food and stop appreciating Beautiful Women – you become an Old Fogey.
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(Maybe this saying applies to women as well)
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5. LEARN NEW THINGS, DEVELOP NEW HOBBIES AND NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE INTERESTS
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Try to have a positive attitude and optimistic temperament – keep learning new things – nurture your creative interests, hobbies – exercise, play games/sports, travel, eat out, see movies – do whatever you enjoy doing and have a ball.
Explore your creative side.
Discovering new aspects of your creativity – and passionately nurturing your talents/interests – it works wonders for your health and happiness.
Keep learning new things – imbibe the latest technologies – and avoid becoming obsolescent or obsolete.
There are so many things to learn and develop interest in – even online – on your smartphone or laptop.
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6. TRY TO BE IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF “POSITIVE VIBES”
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Try your best to be in an environment of feel-good happy “Positive Vibes”.
Avoid people, places and activities which generate “Negative Vibes” in you.
Do not waste your time reminiscing and regretting the past – or – speculating and worrying about the future.
In fact – never think of the past or future.
You must live in the present – one day at a time – and – think only of TODAY.
And – most importantly – you must ensure that the present moment is a happy one.
For this – positive “vibes” are the key to making you feel good, cheerful and happy, here and now.
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And – of course – you must try to remain as physically fit as possible – because – physical and mental fitness are inextricably intertwined.
Mild Exercise – like walking – hearing music – or – admiring the beauty around you – is quite feasible – and easy to do every day – especially as you age chronologically.
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HAPPY AGEING FORMULA IN A NUTSHELL
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To sum up:
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If you want to remain young and youthful forever – you must have a “ZEST FOR LIVING” and “PASSION FOR LEARNING”
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Appreciate Beauty – Enjoy Food – Keep Learning.
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First thing in the morning – the moment you get up – you must recite your new “Art of Living” Motto:
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“Live as if you are going to die tomorrow – but – Learn as if you are going to live forever…”
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Dear Reader:
I wish you eternal youth – may you remain young forever with a “Zest for Living” and a “Passion for Learning”.
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Well – I am trying my best to practice what I preach – and – I am sure you will try too.
So Cheer Up and Live it Up…!!!
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VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
- These are my personal views. Please do your own due diligence while applying these tips.
- All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
- E&OE
Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)
This is a updated and revised repost of my article FOREVER YOUNG written by me around 14 years ago in 2010 and posted by me Vikram Karve online earlier many times in my blogs including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/12/forever-young-tried-and-tested-anti.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/12/how-to-feel-young.html and http://creative.sulekha.com/old-in-age-but-young-at-heart_541304_blog and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/04/how-to-be-young-senior-citizen-anti.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/birthday-blog-how-to-feel-young-and.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/do-you-want-to-be-young-senior-citizen.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/how-to-remain-young-best-anti-ageing-recipe/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/09/15/how-to-remain-young-2/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/how-to-be-a-young-senior-citizen/ etc
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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Vikram Karve 
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