Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Getting older By Henrylito D. Tacio Regarding Henry
THESE days, no one wants to be called "tigulang" or "matanda" (old) anymore. If you happen to attend alumni homecomings or family anniversaries, you will encounter some people who are already "past their prime" (that's how some of them want to be called).
Now, if you meet some bald men, please don't call them old. Instead, use the word "mature" to express your observation. Another euphemism you may want to use is "reached maturity." And, please, abhor yourself from saying "almost old," as what 'Washington Post' once labeled those people.
Whatever you call them, there is one definite thing: nobody can escape aging. "Aging is a simple fact of life -- a stage we all lead to," said Dr. Felicitas Artiaga-Soriano, assistant head of the Department of Psychiatry at Veterans Memorial Medical Center. "After the period of young adulthood, which seems brief to many, the aging process begins."
Some senior citizens embrace life with surprising gusto, "but most people don't appreciate aging the way they should," Dr. Artiaga-Soriano said. "But if we acknowledge the fact that we're going to get older and embrace the aging process, we can enjoy our lives from 60 years of age and up."
Ever heard of 10 Commandments for the Elderly? I never knew it until I read the article which appeared in 'Health and Home,' a bi-monthly publication of the Seventh-Day Adventists. Allow me to share it with you:
1. Thou shalt preserve the body in the best possible condition - a brisk 30-minute walk every day is a wonderful tonic.
2. Thou shalt continue to increase thy knowledge, to anticipate retaining thy memory, and to realize that temporary misplacement of stored facts occurs at any age. Thirty minutes of challenging mental stimulation is a daily necessity.
3. Thou shalt regularly eat nutritious meals of natural, unprocessed foods - eating slightly smaller portions and selecting foods with more care. Aim for a low-fat, low-salt, high-fiber, and chemical-, alcohol-, and caffeine-free diet.
4. Thou shalt remember that characteristics developed during earlier years are simply magnified with age. Therefore, become now the kind of person thou art desirous of being.
5. Thou shalt preserve a good self-image and a healthy level of self-esteem, realizing that there is no substitute for the wisdom of experience. Sharing the gift of accumulated knowledge is a priceless legacy to succeeding generations.
6. Thou shalt maintain a good sense of humor and develop the ability to laugh at thyself and the incongruities of life, realizing that a merry heart does good like a medicine - and stimulates the immune system. Cultivate a happy face; it is an instant facelift.
7. Thou shalt reminisce. Recall the good along with the bad because this contributes to successful adjustment in the present, realizing that optimism is the oil of old age.
8. Thou shalt be realistic in thy expectations and learn to accept help graciously when it is offered. Remember that many cultures have overemphasized independence at the expense of interdependence.
9. Thou shalt not isolate thyself from family and friends, but regularly initiate contact with people of all ages. Socialization not only stimulates the mind but helps to keep life in perspective; love and caring are the secrets of growing old gracefully.
10. Thou shalt continually give thanks for munificent blessings, realizing that a grateful heart nourishes the bones and helps to prevent discouragement, illness, and depression.
